Olympic Games

Venues-Fencing

Beijing's Fencing Hall

Last Updated: Friday, August 7, 2009 | 2:35 PM ET

Bernice Chan CBC Sports

Ota Yuki (L) of Japan fights with Cheremisinov Alexey of Russia during their quarterfinal match in Men's Individual Foil at the 'Good Luck Beijing' 2008 FIE World Championships in National Conference Center Fencing Hall on April 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (China Photos/Getty Images)

Fencers will be able to show off their agility and grace at the Fencing Hall of the National Convention Center.

It is one of eight temporary venues for the Games, hosting Olympic fencing as well as the fencing and air pistol shooting competitions for the pentathlon.

The long rectangular building breaks up the straight lines with a gentle inverted arch roof, enabling it to collect rainwater to use for irrigation around the venue.

Inside there are four floors. The fencing training gymnasium is on the ground floor, which features 14 fencing strips and holds 1,800 spectators. One floor up is the game management area, while another training area is on the third floor, with 12 fencing strips and the athletes’ lounge and shower area. Television broadcasting rooms are also on this floor.

The formal competition venue is on the fourth floor, with five fencing strips and 6,000 seats for spectators.

The “Good Luck Beijing” 2007 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final was held here last September and Klaus Schormann, president of the International Modern Pentathlon Union spoke highly of the venue as well as organizers’ efforts to run a relatively smooth event.

After the Games, the venue will be turned into a convention centre, the second largest indoor hall after the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square.