Fencing should have alternates, not replacements

[fencerbill]

It seems as if fencing has consented to be defined as a sport in which substitutions never occur. In contrast to all the ball sports. But that is inconsistent with fencing's history and tradition. So, who let that happen?

The position of the IOC us that access to the Olympic Village can't be a free for all, with the different sports and countries sending as many of their athletes, coaches, trainers, delegation officers as they want to without limit.

Fencing abased itself when we consented to be limited to 10 events. Women's Sabre could only be admitted if we gave up 2 other events. So we take turns excluding teams, this year MF and WE.

But there must be some alternative to this arrangement where teams must fake injuries or perjure themselves to find recognition for the team spare or, as the US has done, cheat them of the podium recognition they deserve.

Maybe fencing can accept limitation of Village access for coaches and other staff in order to properly and honorably recognize the team spare. Alternates, not replacements.

These fencers practice, dress and parade with the others. And the system won't even let their names be announced before the match. This is wrong.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

And there's already an entire thread agreeing with you!

The Olympic substitution rule sucks

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

And there's already an entire thread agreeing with you!

The Olympic substitution rule sucks

That thread is just whining and batching, mine is proactive.

I'm trying to articulate the reasons for the problem and hoping to formulate an approach to mending what is broken before the next Olympics.

Are we just going to cry in our yogurt or do we want to put together an approach that will improve the situation?

Does fencing include true team events or are we like judo, for example, where you just take the next egg out of the carton. So go to the other thread to whine and then come back and contribute to solving the problem.

[fencerX]

You need to find that other thread you've been pointed at. The rules say you aren't allowed to replace it with this one unless the first thread has been been injured.

You also need to find another windmill to tilt at.

If the FIG is restricted to replacement athletes and can't get alternates for gymnastics out of the IOC, there's not much chance the FIE is going to do any better.

[Army Fencer]

Originally Posted by fencerbill

Alternates, not replacements.

These fencers practice, dress and parade with the others. And the system won't even let their names be announced before the match. This is wrong.

Thank you for eloquently expressing the problem and a potential solution. As it stands today, the rule creates a number of unintended consequences and needs to be changed. It is particularly unfair to medaling teams and their alternates, and I still maintain that it creates an unsafe environment in which to conduct the sport.

Oh, and thank you for characterizing my thread so appropriately. I was as getting as frustrated with fencers who were defending the current state of affairs as I was with the problem itself, and I wanted to get the ball rolling on problems and solutions. At this point, I'll hand off the baton.

[fencerX]

Originally Posted by Army Fencer

At this point, I'll hand off the baton.

He's taking a dive!

He's using his med school knowledge to fool everyone and taking a dive!