Laura Flessel-Colovic

Épée. Women's épée joined the Olympics only in 1996, and Flessel, nicknamed "the Wasp", won its first individual title in Atlanta along with team gold. Her quick, stinging attacks to the arm and willingness to fence at very close range contrasted with Kolobkov's patience, showing that épée rewards both styles. She won five Olympic medals in all and later became France's sports minister.