• 11/10/2024

Referees who oversaw Olympic fencing final ‘professional,’ says Hong Kong’s Edgar Cheung after Italy protests his win

Hong Kong Free Press

Edgar Cheung

Hong Kong Olympic fencer Edgar Cheung has defended the referees who oversaw his gold-medal win at the Paris Olympics, saying that they were “professional” and unbiased after the Italian fencing body lodged a protest against his win.

A large crowd waited to greet Cheung, who returned from the French capital early on Friday morning, at the Hong Kong International Airport. The 27-year-old fencer defended his title in the men’s individual foil event at the Paris Olympic Games after winning gold in the same event at Tokyo’s Olympics three years ago.

Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung shows his gold medal upon his arrival at Hong Kong on August 2, 2024 after winning the men's foil individual event at the Paris Olympic Games.
Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung shows his gold medal upon his arrival at Hong Kong on August 2, 2024 after winning the men’s foil individual event at the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The Italian Fencing Federation filed a formal protest to the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) soon after Italian fencer Filippo Macchi lost 14-15 to Cheung in a thrilling final on Monday night, Paris time. The body criticised the refereeing in the match as “unacceptable.”

Speaking to reporters at Hong Kong’s airport, Cheung said he did not think there had been any problems with the refereeing.

People take pictures of Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung at the Hong Kong International Airport upon his arrival at Hong Kong from Paris on August 2, 2024.
People take pictures of Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung at the Hong Kong International Airport upon his arrival at Hong Kong from Paris on August 2, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

“In fencing, each referee has their own understanding [of refereeing] based on basic principles – some referees will first pay attention to hand movements, while others notice legs movements first,” Cheung said in Cantonese. “And we [as athletes] adjust our strategies according to referees’ habits.”

The Hong Kong fencer added: “I don’t think there were any biased calls or any calls that took a side. Referees are professional, and those who are responsible for finals must be very experienced.”

Cheung said his achievements were the result of the endeavours of many generations of Hong Kong athletes.

Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung (centre) arrives at the Hong Kong International Airport on August 2, 2024 after winning the men's foil individual event at the Paris Olympic Games.
Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung (centre) arrives at the Hong Kong International Airport on August 2, 2024 after winning the men’s foil individual event at the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

On Tuesday, the Italian fencer Macchi posted on Instagram saying he was grateful for his silver medal.

“I return home with a beautiful silver medal, which leaves me one step away from the ‘goal of every athlete’,” he wrote.

Windsurfers eliminated

Separately, Hong Kong athletes Cheng Ching Yin and Ma Kwan Ching bowed out of the windsurfing event after racing in the early hours of Friday.

Ma ranked 14th in women’s windsurfing while Cheng ranked 13th in men’s windsurfing.

Hong Kong windsurfer Ma Kwan Ching raced in the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: World Sailing.
Hong Kong windsurfer Ma Kwan Ching raced in the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: World Sailing.

Hong Kong sent thirty-five athletes to compete in 13 sporting events across France at the Paris Olympics. The city’s delegation has gained two gold medals in fencing – marking the first time the city has won two golds at an Olympics – and two bronze medals in swimming events. Hong Kong is currently 14th on the Olympics medals table.

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https://hongkongfp.com/2024/08/02/referees-who-oversaw-olympic-fencing-final-professional-says-hong-kongs-edgar-cheung-after-italy-protests-his-win/