Italian fencer Nedo Nadi was among the youngest gold medalists of the 1912 Olympic Games. Fencing was the marquee sport of the era. By 1920 he was the undisputed star at the Antwerp Games where he acheived glory winning four golds in the popular event. He achieved the outstanding distinction of winning Olympic gold medals in all three fencing disciplines: the foil, the sabre and the epee. His gold harvest remained an Olympic record for 52 years, until Mark Spitz amassed seven swimming gold medals in 1972. Nadi's heroics were not confined to Olympic competition. During World War I, Nadi served as a member of the Italian cavalry and was decorated three times for outstanding bravery.

British rower John Kelly's struggle for success was also a struggle for acceptance. Undefeated in 12 boxing matches and an outstanding all-around sportsman, Kelly wanted to compete in the Royal Henley Regatta Diamond Sculls, England's most prestigious rowing event. The aristocratic organizers claimed that because Kelly was not a real amateur (he was a bricklayer who was able to strengthen his muscles at work) he could not compete. Eventually Kelly was granted permission to row. He defeated Diamond Sculls winner Jack Beresford to win the single sculls, and was joined by Paul Costello in winning the double sculls. He and Costello repeated their victory four years later. Between 1919 and 1920 Kelly won 126 consecutive races.