The Rio 2016 Olympic fencing competition has been hailed as one of the “most exhilarating in memory” by International Fencing Federation Secretary General Frédéric Pietruszka.

Speaking on the last day of the competition, which saw France win gold in the men’s team epee, the Secretary General expressed his delight at the quality of the fencing and the sheer drama on display at the Carioca Arena 3.

“London was a hard act to follow but the duels we have seen in Rio have been every bit as dramatic,” said the Secretary General, who won men’s team foil gold at the 1980 Games in Moscow. “Many of the finals have gone down to the wire and I think it’s no exaggeration to say the Rio 2016 fencing has been one of the most exhilarating in memory.”