Team Canada captivated the fencing world and wowed fans in Paris with an impressive showing at the Olympic Games. Calgary鈥檚 Eleanor Harvey won a bronze medal in individual foil, the country鈥檚 first ever medal in the sport, while Quebecer Fares Arfa ranked eighth after downing a mighty opponent, Hungary鈥檚 Aron Szilagyi, who was vying for a fourth consecutive gold medal in sabre.
麻豆影视' Genevieve Beauchemin met with the two athletes in a Paris café and walked by the Seine with them as they reflected on their success.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Genevieve Beauchemin: Eleanor, you've said this was a dream come true. How are you processing landing a bronze medal at your third Olympic Games?
Eleanor Harvey: The fact that this is reality is starting to infiltrate my brain. I鈥檝e just been relieving my bouts and trying to understand how it happened.
Genevieve: What is the secret sauce, how did the team do this now?
Eleanor: Everyone is super young on my team, but super committed, super talented. We stayed in Canada basically only training against each other and it is invigorating to think that this was enough to land our results.
Genevieve: What was it like competing at these Olympic Games at the Grand Palais, a historic venue that is so majestic?
Eleanor: It was beautiful. When I walked in, I was overcome with emotions. I hadn鈥檛 even competed yet, but I could hear the crowd. I was so nervous, but I was ready to fight.
Fares Arfa: French crowds are amazing, they are loud, they cheer, they are obnoxious. So that at some point you just can鈥檛 hear anything anymore, but it gives energy to everyone, not just the French fencers. Everyone feeds off that energy. I was thinking, "Ok, they are watching, I have to do well."
Genevieve: What does team Canada鈥檚 success in fencing mean for your sport?
Eleanor: I was inspired by Olympic athletes, and I really hope that other young athletes feel that way about my medal, so that we can share that success.
Fares: For Canada, I think it brings good eyes to the sport. I also hope that for younger people, it sets goals to achieve and to be attracted to the sport. Why not try fencing instead of hockey?
Genevieve: Eleanor, how did winning a medal measure up to you dreams, to what little Eleanor at age seven thought it would be like?
Eleanor: I have been reflecting a lot on that. I know I am going to have ups and downs, and I am going to feel like I suck again. That will happen. But nothing can take this medal away, so I am enjoying that greatly.
