The Fencing Hall of the National Convention Center in the Olympic Green is ready to welcome the fencing and shooting competitions of the 2007 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final on September 15, 2007.

Next year, the Olympic Fencing event and the fencing and shooting disciplines of the Modern Pentathlon event will be held here. In addition, the Paralympic Wheelchair Fencing and Boccia events will also be held here.

Elite athletes from 19 countries this weekend, and more next August

The Fencing Hall is located at the National Convention Center's south side and covers an area of 56,000 sq m. It includes a training hall for fencing, event management offices, warm-up facilities, and an official competition hall. It is equipped with 10 fencing lanes, 36 shooting targets, and seating for 4,400 spectators to meet the requirements of the Modern Pentathlon event.

This weekend (September 15-16), 76 elite athletes from 19 countries and regions including China, the U.S., Russia, Germany, France, and Italy, etc. will compete in the 2007 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final. The event will follow the same rules and regulations as the Olympic Modern Pentathlon event.

The World Cup Final male and female champions will also automatically qualify to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Modern Pentathlon event.

The Modern Pentathlon consists of five disciplines -- shooting, fencing, swimming, riding, and running. Next August the fencing and shooting disciplines be held at the Fencing Hall of the National Convention Center; the running and riding disciplines will be at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium; the swimming discipline will be held at the Ying Tung Natatorium.

"Green" features for post-Games use

As a temporary venue, the Fencing Hall incorporates both Games-time and post-Games functions.

The modern facility includes many "green" features that result in energy savings and water conservation.

With an area of 6,400 sq m, the Fencing Hall will be converted into a large conference hall with capacity for 6,000 people following the Olympic Games. In addition, the fencing competition and warm-up facilities will be converted into a 3,000-person banquet room.

(BOCOG September 15, 2007)