About the sport
Wheelchair Fencing was developed by Sir Ludwig Guttmann at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital. It was introduced at the 1960 Paralympic Games in Rome and there are 24 countries practicing Wheelchair Fencing in 2006. From a spectator's point of view, the most striking feature of Wheelchair Fencing is the fact that athletes compete in wheelchairs that are fastened to the floor. However, these chairs allow the fencers freedom of movement in the upper body only and the activity is as fast-paced as in Fencing competitions for able-bodied. Men and women with an amputation, spinal injury or cerebral palsy are eligible to compete in events including Foil, Epée (men and women) and Sabre (men). The official governing body is the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS).
