Post Games Press Release 20/08/2012
Communication Contact: Asimina Tsellou, Tel: +44 7718 394369, asimina.tsellou@fie.ch
Olympic Games - LONDON 2012
Great Britain opened their arms to welcome the world to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
In a burst of fire, music, dancing and farm animals the people of Great Britain opened their arms to welcome the world to the London 2012 Olympic Games, and begin a journey that will lead to more than 300 athletes achieving their ultimate dream: an Olympic gold medal.
The first day of the Olympic fencing competitions at the Excel venue started with an enormous number of spectators attending the event, up to 7.600, making a record of attendances for fencing competitions ever. The Italian Olympic success story continues in London 2012 with gold medalist Elisa Di FRANCISCA (ITA) after her win over the silver medalist Arianna ERRIGO (ITA). After her win over Hyun Hee NAM (KOR), bronze medalist Valentina VEZZALI (ITA) was defeated by the Arianna ERRIGO (ITA) on the semi-finals. "It was such a tremendous match, because Valentina wanted so badly to win four gold medals in a row. She has already won three Olympic Games, her medals speak for themselves", Arianna Errigo said.
The second Olympic competition day came to an end with a gold medal in Men’s Individual Sabre for Aron SZILAGYI (HUN). He upheld the honor of Hungarian sabre with a brilliant display of attacking fencing against Diego OCCHIUZZI (ITA) to win the Olympic gold medal. In the bronze medal match, Nikolay KOVALEV (RUS) raced to lead Rares DUMITRESCU (ROU). The Russian, who has only ever won one world cup event before, picked off the 2009 world silver medalist.
The third Olympic competition day came to an end with a gold medal in Women’s Individual Epee for Yana SHEMYAKINA (UKR). She beat Olympic champion Britta HEIDEMANN (GER) in the final of the women's epee. China's world No.1, SUN Yujie (CHN), followed her win over 11th seed, SHIN A Lam (KOR), in the playoff for the bronze medal.
The fourth Olympic competition day came to an end with a gold medal in Men’s Individual Foil for LEI Sheng (CHN). He beat Alaaeldin ABOUELKASSEM (EGY) in the final of the men's foil. Alaaeldin ABOUELKASSEM (EGY) beat CHOI Byungchul (KOR) in the second semifinal. CHOI Byungchul (KOR) beat Andrea BALDINI (ITA) in their men's foil bronze medal match. "In my country (Egypt) they will be really happy, they must be so proud of me. They won't believe it. But also throughout Africa and the Arabic countries they are for sure so happy for me. Because I'm the first one (from Africa) to reach such a goal in our history. It's incredible" Alaaeldin ABOUELKASSEM (EGY) said.
The fifth Olympic Competition day came to an end with two gold medals in Men’s Individual Epee for Rubén LIMARDO GASCÓN (VEN) and Women’s Individual Sabre for KIM Jiyeon (KOR). KIM Jiyeon
(KOR) won over the world champion and world No.2 Sofya VELIKAYA (RUS) in the final of the women's sabre. Olga KHARLAN (UKR) beat world No.1 and twice Olympic Champion Mariel ZAGUNIS (USA) in the women's sabre bronze medal match. Rubén LIMARDO GASCÓN (VEN) beat the world No.47 Bartosz PIASECKI (NOR) in the final of the men's epee. By the end of normal time, the score was still only 5-5. In the sudden-death playoff, priority went to LIMARDO GASCÓN. KELSEY prepared to take the initiative, but suddenly the Venezuelan launched a lightning fleche attack and scored, running around the piste in joy having guaranteed himself a medal. JUNG Jinsun (KOR) had an extra-time victory over Seth KELSEY (USA) in the bronze medal match. ‘’I proved today that Venezuelan people can achieve things. I am very happy to have won and I share my victory with them. I'm proud to be from Venezuela, and especially proud to come from the state of Bolivar’’, LIMARDO GASCÓN said.
The sixth Olympic competition day came to an end with a gold medal in Women’s Team Foil for Italy. Italy reinforced their position as the best women foilists in the world by winning the team gold medal, beating Russia. Such has been the dominance of the Italian women in foil at these Olympic Games that in all their individual and team bouts, they have lost to no one except each other.
In a one-sided men's sabre team final, Korea overwhelmed Romania to win their first ever Olympic fencing team medal. Both teams brought on substitutes - OH Eunseok (KOR) and Alexandru SIRITEANU (ROU) - to ensure each received a medal. Italy took the bronze medal by defeating Russia.
SUN Yujie (CHN) added a team gold to her individual bronze medal as China beat Korea in the final of the women's epee team event. The last bout was a rematch of the individual bronze medal fight and once again SUN used her reach to devastating effect against an increasingly desperate SHIN A Lam (KOR). The bronze medal match between Russia and USA ended dramatically as Courtney HURLEY (USA) and Anna SIVKOVA (RUS) fought themselves to a 30-30 standstill at time. In the extra minute, they came together and after some frantic jabbing HURLEY's light came on to give USA the bronze.
Italy fulfilled their destiny to take final fencing gold on men’s team foil. After the toughest of matches, Italy's three musketeers, Andrea CASSARA, Andrea BALDINI and Giorgio AVOLA, prevailed against Japan to win the final event. In the bronze medal match, Germany raced to lead over USA after four bouts and powered on to win.
Korea's fencers scored a hit with every weapon at London 2012. By taking the silver medal in the women's epee team event, Korea became the only country to win a medal in every fencing discipline, a feat not achieved since Italy at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge declared the London 2012 Olympic Games “happy and glorious”. He thanked London, as the spectacular Closing Ceremony brought the curtain down on 17 days of sporting excellence, which took place amidst a party atmosphere throughout the British capital.
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