Welcome to 2019.
The Force is strong in France.
The country has made lightsaber duelling an official sport.
The French Fencing Federation has recognised it as a competitive sport and has granted it the same status as the foil, epee and sabre, the traditional blades used at the Olympics.
Naturally, you won't be able to slice your opponent in half like they do in the movies. However, The Guardian reports the sabers used in the sport will look and sound just like those that the likes of Yoda had in the blockbuster movies.
The French Fencing Federation is now equipping fencing clubs with lightsabers and training would-be lightsaber instructors.
“With young people today, it’s a real public health issue. They don’t do any sport and only exercise with their thumbs,” says Serge Aubailly, the federation’s secretary general.
“That is why we are trying to create a bond between our discipline and modern technologies, so participating in a sport feels natural.”
