FENCING
FRANCE HOPES TO RETURN
TO THE FENCING PODIUM
The fencing competition features one-day, single-elimination tournaments. Men
and women compete in separate individual and team events, with foil, épée and
sabre the featured disciplines. Scoring is based on how many touches, or body
hits, each fencer gets. Usually dominant France is aiming to get back onto the
podium after not winning a single medal in 2012 for the first time since 1960.
Italy, which has won more fencing medals than any other country, is expected to
again be competitive across most disciplines. Italian Paolo Pizzo and America’s
Mariel Zagunis are among the athletes to watch in the men’s and women’s com-
petitions, respectively.
8/6-14 M
FIELD HOCKEY
ONE OF THE OLDEST OLYMPIC SPORTS FEATURES PLENTY OF
GOALS
Field hockey is played on a 100-by-60 meter field by two teams of 11 players.
Goals may only be scored from within a designated semi-circle, and only the
goalkeepers are allowed to touch the ball with their bodies. The fast-moving
sport features plenty of scoring along with thrilling penalty shoot-outs. On the
men’s side, Germany looks for its third straight gold medal, and should face a
strong challenge from Netherlands and Australia. Netherlands has dominated
the women’s competition, bringing home the gold in 2008 and 2012.
8/6 - 8/19 Q; 8/18-19 M
GABBY DOUGLAS
Full Name: Gabrielle Christina Victoria “Gabby” Douglas
Country: USA
Birthplace: Virginia Beach, VA
Birth date: Dec. 31, 1995
Height/weight: 5-foot, 2-inches/ 105-pounds
Sport: Artistic gymnastics
Events: Team, All-Around
Credentials: Gold Medalist Team and All-Around, 2012;
Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, 2012
Factoids: Known as the “Flying Squirrel,” Douglas’ photo
has appeared on the Corn Flakes cereal box. She also released her
own autobiography and Lifetime produced a i lm about her.
2016 SUMMER OLYMPICS VIEWER’S GUIDE pg 7