Alex Tofalides

Alexander Andreas Tofalides (born March 13, 1993) is a Cypriot fencer specializing in the foil. He qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics, becoming the first fencer to represent Cyprus at the Olympic Games.

Early life and education Tofalides was born in London, England. He began fencing at the age of seven. He balanced his fencing career with his academic pursuits at University College London (BA 2015)

Transition to Cyprus Switching to represent Cyprus, a decision he made to honor his late Cypriot father and grandparents, Tofalides won his first gold medal at the FIE Men’s Foil Competition Satellite in Antalya, Turkey, in 2016. Three years later, Tofalides secured his place at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by winning the Europe Zonal Qualifying Tournament held in Differdange, Luxembourg, securing the sole foil quota available to fencers from nations without a previously qualified athlete or team. This achievement marked a historic moment as he became the first Cypriot fencer to qualify for the Olympic Games. He is also an advocate for mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of psychological well-being for athletes.