Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Fencer Soren Thompson Makes History At Athens Olympics
August 17, 2004 | Men's Fencing
Aug. 17, 2004
Princeton, N.J. - Princeton fencer Soren Thompson '05 advanced to the quarterfinals in the men's epee individual event at the Athens Olympics before losing 15-11 to defending Olympic gold medalist Pavel Kolobkov of Russia. Thompson's placement is the best in nearly 50 years by a U.S. fencer in his event. Thompson (San Diego, Calif.), who did not fence for Princeton this season in order to train for the Olympics, defeated #18 Paris Inostroza of Chile in his opening-round match. He then reached the quarterfinals by defeating #2 Alfredo Rota of Italy in a 15-13 stunning upset victory. The winner of four World Gup Golds this past season, Rota was widely considered a favorite for the medal stand. Thompson will most likely place seventh. For the United States, this is the sixth-highest men's epee finish ever and highest in nearly 50 years. In other Princeton fencing news in Athens, Kamara James '06 lost her first-round match in women's epee.