Fencers

"The difference in class and experience between my opponent and me was obviously huge. But this is a final so I had to expect a fierce fight from my opponent and that’s exactly what happened""

"So, life is like, again, an icy ladder. So, when you climb up, you have to be really, really energetic or you won’t be able to climb up ‘cause you slip and fall down."

"A foil should be held as one holds a little bird; not so tightly as to crush it, but just enough to prevent it escaping from the hand."

"Local police were separated for me for a moment when activists began to disturb the relay. I was attacked three times. The most terrible moment was when three or four men came to rob the torch, but I couldn't give up. As a torchbearer, that's my duty."

"I don't think I did anything great. Any Chinese or Olympics-loving torchbearer would protect the torch under such circumstances."

"The tricky thing about fencing is that there are no secrets. Once you get on the strip, it's almost like I have all the information about you that I could ever want. The same goes for you against me. It comes down to a battle of minds, really."

"Fencing is one of those exercises that employs the mind as well as the body, and, in fact, employs it more than the body, the further a man advances in proficiency. From the first it supplies the excitement of contest, and depends so much on art and address that the man of superior mind always makes the best fencer in the end."

"Above all things, never lose your presence of mind, and never consider yourself unarmed even if confronted by an armed man, for almost anything can be made into a weapon if properly used. An umbrella is a fearful weapon if used with both hands like a bayonet. It will parry the blows of a big bully, and you can return him a stab in the face or breast or stomach that will settle him. A lady can defend herself from outrage with her parasol in the same way. If she struck a ruffian over the head with it, he would laugh at her, but I remember a certain girl who killed a ruffian who assaulted her by a stab with the point of her parasol."

"I hate those foreign bullies. De Mores is one of them. The Frenchman cannot bully the Americans.I will accept that challenge as a substitute for the fighting editor of .You may say in that a substitute volunteers to appear for the fighting editor in this contest. He a man past 77 years of age, a light old man, a gentleman of irreproachable character, of as high rank as De Mores, and in military lines a General. Say I will fight him for the honor of America against France with any of the following weapons, he, of course, being entitled to choose the weapons:Pistols at ninety feet, advance and fire at will.Apé combat (triangular swords).Sabers or any cutting swords; cuts alone, no thrusts.Bayonets, go as you please.Bowie knives, and 'no protection,' if he desires to renew his experience in the wild West.With the fist, go as you please, no time.I prefer a shiny weapon. I am of a kind, philanthropic disposition, and as firearms demand, even with the most skillful shot, to aim at the heart, allowing for misses, a man is a murderer at the beginning. Humanity may not then be displayed. On the contrary, with the shiny weapon I would only attempt to clip the wings of my honored opponent. Should my philanthropic remarks be misconstrued, state that if my honored opponent wants death he can find it. My opponent will have the choice of weapons. We cannot fight here. I will fight him in Mexico or Belgium. He can't bluff the Americans in that sort of way. I am a Gothic American."

"He who lives by the sword lives long."