The present invention relates to a method for splicing an optical fiber element (13, 23) of an optical cable (1, 2) reinforced with at least one strain relief fiber element (14, 24) and a splice effected by such method. In order to improve the strain resistance of the spliced optical cables (1, 2), the method according to the invention comprises the steps removing a jacket (11, 21) thereby exposing the optical fiber elements (13, 23) and the at least one strain relief fiber element (14, 24) of each of the two optical cables (1, 2) to be spliced, joining the optical fiber elements (13, 23) of the two optical cables (1, 2) to be spliced, providing a splicing sleeve (40) in such a way that it surrounds the joint of the two optical fiber elements (13, 23), attaching said splicing sleeve (40) against the circumferential surface of said optical cables (1, 2) thereby connecting the exposed strain relief fiber elements (14, 24) of the two optical cables (1, 2) to each other. The present invention furthermore provides a splice of two optical cables having improved strain resist which is characterized in that the strain relief fiber elements are connected to each other with the exposed optical fiber elements (13, 23) being surrounded by the sleeve.