50 greatest Summer Olympians in history
By John Buhler
29. Valentina Vezzali, Fencing.
Italian Valentina Vezzali is one of the most decorated fencers in Olympics history, having won nine medals — including six golds over the course of five Olympiads (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012). At 42, she is still competing at a high level and could very well add to that total this summer.
Vezzali was the first fencer to win gold in three straight Summer Olympics in individual foils (2000, 2004, and 2008), and is is one of four Olympians to have medaled in the same individual event on five different occasions (the individual foil, from 1996 to 2012).
Thrice Vezzali helped the Italian fencing team capture Olympic gold (1996, 2000, 2012) with one bronze (in 2008) thrown in for good measure. And while’s she’s since transitioned into the political arena, Vezzali has a great shot at more Olympic medals to her collection.
At 42 years old, Vezzali finished second in the World Fencing Championships in Rio. Should Vezzali finish in the top three during her encore performance in Brazil, that would put her in a very special company, as one of a rare few to medal in the same event in six consecutive Olympic Games.
Next: 28. Nadia Comaneci.