Fencing at the 1920 Summer Olympics

Fencing was an extremely popular sport in Belgium in 1920, and the fencing events drew large crowds to the Gardens de la Palace d’Egmont, situated near the Beerschot Stadium. The events were scheduled to be held outdoors but, because of rain, many of the pools were moved indoors to a “hall with a linoleum floor“.

In prior Olympics, the Local Organizing Committees determined what format and rules would be used for the fencing events. After the 1912 Olympics, the first international governing body for the sport of fencing, the Fédération internationale d’escrime (FIE), was founded, and they developed a standard set of rules to be used in international competitions. Those rules were first used at these Olympics and proved successful. As a result, the FIE began holding European Championships in 1921, and these became World Championships in 1937.

The 1920 fencing events were well contested and were a showcase for the talents of the Italian star Nedo Nadi. Nadi competed in five events at Antwerp and won gold medals in all five. Through 2024, only Michael Phelps (USA), with six swim golds in 2004 and eight swim golds in 2008, Mark Spitz (USA), with seven swim golds at München in 1972, Kristin Otto (GDR), with six swim golds at Seoul 1988, and Vitali Shcherba (EUN), with six gymnastics golds in 1992, have won more gold medals at a single Olympics than Nedo Nadi. Nadi did not compete just in the individual épée event.

Nadi’s brother, Aldo, also competed in Antwerpen. Aldo Nadi won three gold medals in the team events and an individual silver medal, behind his brother, in the sabre event.