Francesca Bortolozzi-Borella

Francesca Bortolozzi won medals with the Italian foil fencing team at three consecutive Olympics. In 1992, she had to substitute for Giovanna Trillini in the final against Germany. She lost all three of her bouts, but her teammates did well enough to take the gold. Despite winning the individual world title in 1993, Bortolozzi was again a substitute at the 1996 Games. Once more, she had to replace an injured team mate (Diana Bianchedi, this time), but she was more successful now. She won the deciding bout in the semi-finals against Hungary and also fought well in the final against Romania, winning her second gold medal. Apart from her individual world title, Bortolozzi has won three World Championship golds with the team, adding a silver and four bronzes as well. Her husband, Andrea Borella, is also an Olympic fencing champion. Received in 1995 the Collare d’oro for Sporting Merit from the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).