Children from 43 schools in Rio de Janeiro are getting the chance to try their hand at the noble art of fencing ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The International Fencing Federation (FIE) is bringing its Fencing School programme to Rio to promote the sport and leave a legacy to the city's young.

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As of Thursday 7 April, the programme had reached 3,285 children in 26 schools. Another 17 schools will get their chance in the coming weeks. Coaches are teaching kids the basics of the sport with equipment provided by the FIE. 

The Fencing School programme runs until the Olympic fencing test event on 23-27 April, when the Rio stage of the Fencing Grand Prix series will be held back-to-back with the team world championships at Carioca 3 Arena.

“Children have that dream of the sword fights that they see in films, in Zorro, Romeo and Juliet – a duel very similar to what we have in this sport” 

Arno Perillier, Rio 2016 head of fencing

The Fencing School initiative began on 21 March. The programme is visiting schools in a variety of neighbourhoods, from some of the more affluent districts to favela communities and other deprived parts of the city.

“The reaction from the children – and the teachers too – has been incredible. Their faces light up when they see the equipment, and after they try the sport and take the mask off, they are just buzzing with excitement,” Perillier said.

The children have also been given tickets to watch the world's best fencers in action in the test event later in April.

The FIE will hold a fencing demonstration by Copacabana beach from 20-21 April, just ahead of the test event, allowing members of the public to give the sport a try.