France and the United States each made their 22nd appearance, tied for most of any nation; France had missed only the 1904 (with fencers not traveling to St. Louis) and the 1912 (boycotted due to a dispute over rules) foil competitions, while the United States had missed the inaugural 1896 competition and boycotted the 1980 Games altogether.
France and the United States each reached their 22nd Olympic appearance, tied for most by any country; France was absent from the 1904 (fencing team did not attend St. Louis) and 1912 (boycott due to rule dispute) foil events, while the United States missed its first-ever competition in 1896 and boycotted the entire 1980 Games.