LONDON, 31 July – via Olympic News Service: The International Fencing Federation (FIE) issued a statement on Tuesday justifying their ruling to award semifinal victory to Britta HEIDEMANN (GER) in the last second of extra time in Monday’s match with SHIN A Lam (KOR), who staged a sit-in protest. The FIE had deliberated the decision for more than an hour.

The statement read:

“Korean epeeist SHIN A Lam (KOR) remained on the piste after a dispute over the result of her semifinal bout against Britta HEIDEMANN (GER) at ExCeL on Monday (30 July).”

“The Korean delegation complained about the referee awarding to Britta HEIDEMANN (GER) the decisive hit which was scored during the additional minute of the bout. To set the complaint, the Korean delegation had to pay a deposit of guarantee of 80 USD (United States dollars) (or equivalent) according to article t. 95. 4.”

“The protest was reviewed by the “Directoire Technique”, the appropiate body that also acts as the Jury of Appeal during the Olympic Games.”

“As per the FIE’s official policies and procedures, the Directoire Technique checked the regulations and analysed the testimony of all officials involved. Consequently, the FIE ensured that a proper decision had been reached, respecting the FIE’s rules and regulations.”

“The Directoire Technique determined that the protest was groundless. It was thus rejected in its entirety. The hit had been awarded and confirmed by the referee, whose decision is final according to article t. 42 of the Rules.”

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62 Comments

  • David Burns, July 31, 2012 @ 6:30 pm

    What a crock of SHIT!!

  • Clayton Horstman, July 31, 2012 @ 6:34 pm

    the FIE is a total fucking joke.

  • April Moore, July 31, 2012 @ 6:34 pm

    I didn't see the bout, so I can't comment on the protest itself, but even at this level people forget that arguing a call usually doesn't work out so well.

  • Jill Lin, July 31, 2012 @ 6:36 pm

    proper my a$$! korea was robbed! this is why I don't even bother watching the olympics! nothing but politics and stupid judging!

  • Gray Wilson, July 31, 2012 @ 6:45 pm

    I watched the bout and it was obvious that they weren't counting in miliseconds. The clock actually showed zero (they moved it back to one second) before the last touch. It was fascinating to watch and I believe shows that the timing system needs an upgrade.

  • Gray Wilson, July 31, 2012 @ 6:49 pm

  • Gray Wilson, July 31, 2012 @ 6:49 pm

  • Gray Wilson, July 31, 2012 @ 6:49 pm

  • Gray Wilson, July 31, 2012 @ 6:49 pm

    I've never seen anything like it.

  • Gray Wilson, July 31, 2012 @ 6:49 pm

    I've never seen anything like it.

  • April Moore, July 31, 2012 @ 6:52 pm

    I'll go check it out; I just haven't had time to watch it.

  • April Moore, July 31, 2012 @ 6:52 pm

    I'll go check it out; I just haven't had time to watch it.

  • Noah Zucker, July 31, 2012 @ 6:57 pm

    BREAKING: The Iraqi Information Minister found employment with the FIE.

    Shameful.

  • Sean Rhea, July 31, 2012 @ 7:00 pm

    It sure seems to me like she got robbed, but then again I don't know what the "correct" response would have been.

  • Richard Exnicios, July 31, 2012 @ 7:04 pm

    what w weak response and yes a crock of ____

  • Laura Donaghy, July 31, 2012 @ 7:49 pm

    I hoped the statement would clarify what exactly happened. What was the infringement that led to the clock being reset? Huge amount of sympathy for both fencers last night.

  • Bao Pham, July 31, 2012 @ 7:53 pm

    From my understanding, the fencer didn't leave the strip because that means she consents to the judge's ruling which they were in the middle of appealing. 1 second is a ton of time. More than enough time to advance and throw a shot like the video shows. Shin looked like she was ready, but didn't react fast enough for the attack. The first time they reset it to one second they both doubled. I don't know why Shin was prepared the second time.

  • Bao Pham, July 31, 2012 @ 7:53 pm

    *wasn't prepared.

  • William Ashe, July 31, 2012 @ 7:53 pm

    Lame, just plain lame.

  • Carlos Andrade, July 31, 2012 @ 8:21 pm

    sad and pathetic

  • Carlos Andrade, July 31, 2012 @ 8:21 pm

    sad and pathetic

  • Chris Aher, July 31, 2012 @ 8:22 pm

    Shameful

  • Chris Aher, July 31, 2012 @ 8:22 pm

    Shameful

  • Kaylah White, July 31, 2012 @ 8:28 pm

    It was completely an issue of not having a timer with milliseconds for fencing and a case of simple hunan error. The clock ran down the last few milliseconds of time after a halt was called. because the timer only has full seconds, a full second was awarded back to the clock, allowing plenty of time for the last touch. It is unfortunate fir Shin, but she did a great thing for fencing by exposing the problem with a full second timer

  • Kaylah White, July 31, 2012 @ 8:28 pm

    Also, what a lame response from FIE.

  • Sue Im, July 31, 2012 @ 8:52 pm

    Only the best athletics can take part in the Olympics. They deserve the best referees, too. Shameful.

  • April Moore, July 31, 2012 @ 9:00 pm

    Yes, agree, but that's not the first time something like this has occurred. It sucks all around, but everyone gets screwed on something like this eventually and unfortunately, this time, it was at the highest level of competition. Doesn't mean I like it. At the least they should fix the timer problem. But it's also not the German fencer's fault either.

  • Kaylah White, July 31, 2012 @ 9:10 pm

    It's the first time it has happened with this much recogntion. Watching the bout, I also feel like the ref did not do a good job distancing the fencers after each double touch was scored, but that's personal opinion.

  • Bao Pham, July 31, 2012 @ 9:16 pm

    Ohhhhh I thought they added another second.

  • Michael Cain, July 31, 2012 @ 9:27 pm

    Everyone knows who won. Nevertheless, the FIE's hands were tied by Rule t.42(g); after reviewing the video, the director's announced decision is final and can't be appealed. We all know that directors are gods at the strip; it turns out that it's actually in the written rules. Given the hassles and expense that would be involved in changing the equipment spec, I expect it more likely that they'll add a rule that says something like, "One second left, one fencing move allowed, then time is deemed to have expired whether the clock ticked or not." Take away a little of the director's discretion.

  • Steve Pirates, July 31, 2012 @ 9:32 pm

    TL;DR translation: "Rather than adjudicate the merit of the timing issue to get the call correct, we're going to defer to the finality of the call to resolve the issue." Usually, when referee/fencer shit happens, I say, "This is why I fence epee." Yeah….

  • Robert Good, July 31, 2012 @ 10:01 pm

    Strange

  • Mark Scott, July 31, 2012 @ 10:24 pm

    And they had to pay "80 USD (United States dollars) (or equivalent)" to get screwed! Didn't realise (Eng. sp) that was legal in London. According to FIE, it is.

  • Mark Scott, July 31, 2012 @ 10:24 pm

    And they had to pay "80 USD (United States dollars) (or equivalent)" to get screwed! Didn't realise (Eng. sp) that was legal in London. According to FIE, it is.

  • Mark Scott, July 31, 2012 @ 10:24 pm

    And they had to pay "80 USD (United States dollars) (or equivalent)" to get screwed! Didn't realise (Eng. sp) that was legal in London. According to FIE, it is.

  • Matthew Cox, July 31, 2012 @ 10:29 pm

    It's part of the protest procedures for international competition. It's known to every chief of mission.

  • Kezsats Kizutam, July 31, 2012 @ 10:30 pm

    bull shit!

  • Michael Hill, July 31, 2012 @ 10:36 pm

    Useless morons at the FIE the korean won that fight they cost her a medal/ place in the final useless, useless…useless.

  • PK Tam, July 31, 2012 @ 11:19 pm

    As a news release it achieved what it's supposed to do. It recognises the role and processes of the Rule & Regs. It is difficult to reverse the decision made at the piste. Compare this with that baseball ref's miscall…

  • PK Tam, July 31, 2012 @ 11:19 pm

    As a news release it achieved what it's supposed to do. It recognises the role and processes of the Rule & Regs. It is difficult to reverse the decision made at the piste. Compare this with that baseball ref's miscall…

  • PK Tam, July 31, 2012 @ 11:19 pm

    As a news release it achieved what it's supposed to do. It recognises the role and processes of the Rule & Regs. It is difficult to reverse the decision made at the piste. Compare this with that baseball ref's miscall…

  • Mark Scott, July 31, 2012 @ 11:21 pm

    I just meant it wasn't a free f******, not a question of protocol.

  • Mark Scott, July 31, 2012 @ 11:21 pm

    I just meant it wasn't a free f******, not a question of protocol.

  • Susan Leigh Hazel, August 1, 2012 @ 12:30 am

    Actually, it applies to us too. It's an FIE rule, but since US Fencing is an FIE member, it's enforceable, even at the Division/Local Tournament-level. Read up on it in the Operations Manual, Section 4.3.5 Protest to the Bout Committee (Page 4-3).

    http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Fencing/About-Us/Manuals/Operations-Manual.aspx

  • Susan Leigh Hazel, August 1, 2012 @ 12:30 am

    Actually, it applies to us too. It's an FIE rule, but since US Fencing is an FIE member, it's enforceable, even at the Division/Local Tournament-level. Read up on it in the Operations Manual, Section 4.3.5 Protest to the Bout Committee (Page 4-3).

    http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Fencing/About-Us/Manuals/Operations-Manual.aspx

  • Susan Leigh Hazel, August 1, 2012 @ 12:33 am

    (Actually…Section 4.4 on how the Jury of Appeal is constructed is quite fascinating! The members of the Bout Committee cannot be Jury members, and it otherwise must be comprised of all EC members present, the Team Captains of all Clubs present at the event, among other people.)

  • Michael C. Green, August 1, 2012 @ 1:13 am

    The fee is kept if the appeal is deemed 'frivolous.' Not just if the appeal is found in her favor.'

  • Michael C. Green, August 1, 2012 @ 1:13 am

    The fee is kept if the appeal is deemed 'frivolous.' Not just if the appeal is found in her favor.'

  • Kyu Hee Choi, August 1, 2012 @ 2:12 am

    @Kaylah White : I think your opinion on the ref, who did do a terrible job distancing the fencers 'at the most important moment', is right!!!!!!

  • 송동석, August 1, 2012 @ 2:16 am

    All the national athletics work their butt off for 4 years to be in the Olympic. She is one of them too. When she cried, we all knew she doesn't deserve this.

  • Ray Parker, August 1, 2012 @ 2:26 am

    As stated here: "She got 4. On the last touch, Heidemann would score. This brought out the Korean coach who lodged a formal protest. How could a fencer launch that many attacks – double-touch actions – within one second of fencing time?"

  • Noah Zucker, August 1, 2012 @ 3:04 am

    Incredible amateur video posted on YouTube clearly shows how Shin was wronged and stunned reactions from the audience as it was happening. Note the comments "they're too close" and "she'll have to go for the foot" (only action possible with 0:01).
    http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DG7QENF5Uf7k%26feature%3Dg-upl&feature=g-upl&v=G7QENF5Uf7k&gl=US

  • Sean Han, August 1, 2012 @ 4:35 am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIIqpVSg7e8
    look at 1:18.
    Britta Heideman started attack before game start sign.

    http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?…aid=0000232609
    Britta Heideman moved forward in penalty distance against rule to attack quickly.

    But babara left britta even Shin's complaint.

    it's not all about time-checker error.

    shame FIE

  • Kornel Udvarhelyi, August 1, 2012 @ 4:57 am

    By the rules:

    FIE Rule Book, Book 1, Technical Rules:
    t.17.4.
    When placed on guard during the bout, the distance between the two competitors must be such that, in the position ‘point in line’, the points of the two blades cannot make contact.
    t.10.

    The point in line position is a specific position in which the fencer’s sword arm is kept straight and the point of his weapon continually threatens his opponent’s valid target.

    If Ms. Olympic final referee had done that correctly -BASIC RULE OF FENCING AT ANY LEVEL! MY 10 YEAR OLD BEGINNERS KNOW THAT…-
    we would never get here….

  • Jongsung Lee, August 1, 2012 @ 7:41 am

    Human beings will make mistakes. That's why people should be modest and humble.

    Is referee omnipotent like God? I

    I am truly opposed to foolish dogma that 'any decision by a referee never be changed'.
    That's a propaganda almost all the sports association have and stick to.

    Use all the tools that can avoid and minimize human mistakes!
    You are not God.

    YOUR DECISION MAY BE CHANGED BECAUSE YOU ARE HUMAN BEING.
    THAT IS ALSO A TRUE SPORTS SPIRIT. BE MODEST, MAN!

  • Nelson Jo, August 1, 2012 @ 9:21 am

    Fencing is dead. I really disappointed at FIE(Fucking Idiots d’Escrime).
    Fie, for shame!

  • Vivikta Cicero, August 1, 2012 @ 3:30 pm

    FIE tries to offer a 'special medal' for compensation. Is this a fucking joke? Its shameful, Racists.

  • Slobodan Wiaji, August 1, 2012 @ 8:00 pm

    I see the whole bout – not just some excerpts of Heidemann's attacks – in the following video and fail to recognize the referee's alleged error:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I5YyYPo4tk

    At 2:48, after yet another double score had been hit, the referee called "halt", and the clock was still showing 0:01. At 2:53, *despite the interruption in the bout* you can hear the clock's acustic signal as it went to 0:00. Fencing rule t.32-2: "Should there be a failure of the clock or an error by the timekeeper, the referee must estimate how much fencing time is left." Per this rule, the referee added the minimum possible time, one second. Within this one second, Heidemann attacks and manages the winning hit.

    I would like to understand how else the referee was supposed to conform to the rules: Should she have declared the bout to be over after Heidemann's attack at 2:48, with time still left on the clock? Should she have ignored the clock continuing despite the interruption she ordered? Please, what call do you suggest she should have made?

Comments are closed.