The Tragic Fencing Death of Vladimir Smirnov

If it seems like a sport that’s just two people sticking swords at each other could result in death…it absolutely could. And did.

By 1980, Vladimir Smirnov was one of the best fencers in the world, if not the best. In a sport in which the Soviet Union was always very competitive, the Ukrainian born athlete won three medals in three separate events at the 1980 Summer Olympics, held in Moscow (the ones the U.S. boycotted). Smirnov won a bronze medal for the Men’s team épée, a silver in the foil team, and the gold for the foil individual. (The “foil” and épée are two different types of swords; the foil is light and flexible, and the épée is heavier and with a thicker blade.)

Smirnov continued to dominate world fencing, winning the World Championship in 1981. He returned to defend his title in the 1982 championships in Rome. Smirnov faced off in an early round against 1976 Olympic gold medalist Matthias Behr of West Germany. While fencing is generally quite safe—competitors wear chest protectors, vests, gloves, and face masks, among other equipment—this match resulted in a tragic, fluke accident. As the two world-class fencers squared off and jabbed at each other, Behr lunged at Smirnov…and his sword broke. Improbably, the broken, jagged, and thin blade penetrated the mesh of Smirnov’s face mask, and kept going. It punctured Smirnov’s eye socket, and the blade went into his brain.

The match was immediately called off as Smirnov fell in pain. He died nine days later, one of the only seven fencers to die as a result of injuries sustained in competition. The death naturally led to sweeping changes in fencing, and fencing gear safety. Carbon steel blades like the one used by Behr and Smirnov were replaced with maraging steel blades, which are much tougher and far less likely to break upon impact. Further, fencers now are more likely to wear Kevlar or strong nylon uniforms, as well as masks made with stronger steel alloys. Since the 1982 accident, there have been no deaths in high-level fencing.