Christian D'Oriola was a noted French foil fencer named "Fencer of the 20th Century" by the FIE, the International Fencing Federation, in 2001. Born in Perpignan, France, he was World Champion four times, and twice Olympic Champion in the foil individual events. At the 1948 Olympics, at the age of 19, he won a team gold medal and an individual silver medal in foil. At the 1952 Olympics he won gold medals in both the team and individual foil competitions, winning all ten bouts in the team events. In 1956, at the Olympics he again won a gold medal in individual foil, while winning a silver medal in team foil. He was also four time team world champion. Aged 42 he became French champion in the team sabre event in 1970. He is a first cousin of the equestrian Pierre Jonqu�res d'Oriola. In 1972, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor. 

October 3rd, 1928 in Perpignan  /  Died:   Oct 29th, 2007