Several VIPs, including Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Hungarian President János Áder, dropped in to support their fencers. His Royal Highness Albert II, Prince of Monaco, His Excellency Sheikh Saoud Al Thani of Qatar, and American sprinting legend Michael Johnson were also in attendance during the nine days.

Meanwhile, the FIE’s Sport Initiation programme, allowing ticket-holders to give fencing a try under the supervision of coaches, proved very popular. An unofficial count by organisers put the total number of participants at over 3,000. IOC President Thomas Bach took part in the initiative before watching the men’s team foil final.