lupestripe | Sitting On The Fencing

It's refreshing that the Olympics seems to have brought out the feel-good factor in this country and that Team GB's impressive medal tally is keeping the more negative news off the front pages. Indeed this feels like a two week holiday for me, away from bad headlines and the painful realities of current politics and economics. Of course, like all vacations, they can't last forever, nor would it be appropriate if it did, but I am enjoying it nonetheless.

Having impatiently watched the action on TV over the last week, I finally headed down to London last night in preparation for three days of Olympic events. My first was at the ExCeL (no idea why it's written like this) Centre for the gold and bronze medal matches of the team foil fencing.

Getting to the ExCeL Centre was straightforward on the Jubilee Line, starting as we did from Stanmore, near where my ex-girlfriend's mother lives, who has very kindly let us stay in her annex for free (well okay we agreed to help fix her laptop and TV but largely free). Upon arrival at the DLR station, we were directed to the ExCeL by the huge army of volunteers who were pointing people the way with the aid of giant London 2012 pink foam hands. This took us around the wharf and towards the main arena, looking at the splendid backdrop of the O2 (now called North Greenwich) Arena, Canary Wharf and the Air Line connecting both side of the river (Thames) together.

Security was a doddle, largely because we had brought next to nothing with us, but belts off still means trousers down and this has the potential to be embarrassing. But all of the Olympic staff, the majority of whom were volunteers, were all ridiculously friendly and added to the party atmosphere which was already building.

The ExCeL Centre is a huge conference centre for those who do nor know it, like a hanger and so large that five Olympic events are taking place in its environs. Fencing was one but as we had time to kill due to our early arrival, we walked around the main concourse, soaking up the vibe and marveling at the sheer number of international visitors on show. It was marvellous, highlighting a global unity that the Olympics can bring. Everyone was having fun, perhaps the Americans too much such was their volume, and it was great flag sporting as the people walked by.

The price of produce may have taken a slating but some of this was media conjecture. A pint costing over £7? Only if you extrapolate from the price of one 330ml can. However pints were also being served and at £4.80, weren't massively unreasonable considering the city and the event. Indeed, the £9.50 I paid for fish, chips and minted mushy peas was money well spent considering the quality of the fare on offer - a little steep perhaps but not a rip off in my eyes.

Heading into the Fencing atrium, ahead of the competition area itself, we bought some programs and a funky Team GB lion which at £15 probably wad extortionately priced. Here there were some more food stands and a novel concept, a queue for the men's toilet. A rare sight indeed. Watered and with lizard drained, we headed into the arena.

We were pretty far back and offset to the left regarding the field of play but our views were good. The military band and fencing themed ballet were both good warm-up acts, along with some VT about the rules of fencing. I had already read up on this earlier so knew what was going on for most of the time but I admit there were still some decisions which I found baffling.

Team GB had been knocked out earlier in the day so we first watched the bronze medal match between Germany and the USA before catching the gold medal match between Italy and Japan. Both bouts were high on technical skill and the action was extremely fast paced, making it quite difficult on occasion to follow what was happening. But lighty up helmets help and many in the crowd were passionate, particularly the Germans and the Italians who were making loads of noise (including the five Italians behind us who wouldn't shut up talking for the whole bronze level match). The colours used lighting the floor were spectacular, very much like Tron, and we also got to see and hear the pomp and splendour of a medal ceremony. Italy's anthem is certainly a nice ditty.

The Italy v Japan game was close (45-39 if I remember) and it kept swinging from side to side, adding to the excitement. The earlier game was somewhat of a breeze for Germany, who only looked in trouble when one of their men fell off the raised platform and injured his ankle, necessitating the introduction of the reserve (each team has three fencers who play each other once so there are nine bouts. Each bout is first to five and the first team to 45 hits wins).

Fencing is a frenetic event, high on excitement and technique and brilliant to watch. Bandy swords are always fun, even when the Italian guy bent his bendy sword too much. They did complain a fair bit, the Italians, but they were deserved winners, as were we all for getting tickets for this marvelous event. I thought this as we were funneled out of the arena and onto the DLR, looking forward to tomorrow's Olympic adventure.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.