Cypriot fencer Alexander Tofalides wrote a letter to fans who supported him during the Paris Games, where he became the first Cypriot athlete to ever compete in the discipline at the Olympics, thanking them for believing in him.


“Many of you who didn’t know me before the Olympic Games still believed in me and supported me, and I carried and felt that support in every hit I made on the piste,” the letter said.


“It felt like the entire island was behind me, and I cannot even begin to explain the incredible energy it gave me to read all your words of encouragement.”


Competing in the men’s individual foil event, Tofalides advanced to the round of 32 by winning his first knockout match against Poland’s Adrian Wojtkowiak with a score of 15-10.


He then faced Nick Itkin from the United States, ranked second in the world. Despite a strong effort, scoring 10 hits, Tofalides did not advance to the round of 16.


However, his participation in the Paris Olympics and his 31st place finish set a precedent for future generations of Cypriot fencers.


“Although I ultimately didn’t win, I want all Cypriots to believe that no matter how small the odds or how great the opponent is, we should never give up. Believe in yourself and fight until the very end,” Tofalides continued in his letter.
“Just by existing as a Cypriot, you have already won. Our small island, invaded by countless empires, still stands proud. Our continued existence is a victory in itself, and a testament to our resilience throughout human history. Be proud of this.”


The fencer also added that only nine people in the world share his surname, urging Cypriots and the Cypriot diaspora “to keep the flame of the country burning”.
“Preserve our history, culture, and achievements. If every Cypriot felt the belief and support that I did before my Olympic bouts, we could achieve anything,” he said.


“I have met many athletes from Cyprus, both at the games and before. They embody what it means to be Cypriot: battle-hardened professionals, proud to represent their country. They prepare for battle, often against athletes and nations much larger and wealthier than ours.


“I fenced with the world number two, a true David v Goliath battle, and I came so close to winning. It was 700,000 Cypriots against 331 million Americans. This was a microcosm of Cyprus’ struggle against much larger and stronger opponents. In the face of adversity, we play to our strengths, hold our heads high, and fight with honour. We never give up,” Tofalides’ letter said.


The president of the Cyprus Fencing Federation (CFF) Konstantinos Taliotis also congratulated the fencer for his achievements in Paris in a statement released on Wednesday, which stressed that “his journey to the Olympics was a testament to his unwavering dedication, persistence, and love for the sport”.


Taliotis, who attended all of Tofalides’ matches in Paris, also thanked the athlete’s coach Benjamin Peggs, and the entire support team, “whose expert guidance and support were crucial to this journey”.
“We also want to thank everyone who supported Tofalides in Paris, an effort made possible by the Cyprus Olympic Committee, demonstrating a unified commitment to the success of Cypriot athletes on the global stage.


“We are very proud of Alexander’s qualification and performance at the Olympic Games. His participation has brought pride and admiration, and we expect it to inspire many young athletes in Cyprus to pursue their dreams.
“This is a pivotal moment for Cypriot fencing, and we will work closely with him to pave the way for more Cypriot athletes to excel in fencing and potentially other individual sports.


“We anticipate support from state authorities responsible for the development of sports in Cyprus in this effort,” Taliotis concluded.