Athletes can fence at any age .
The elite typically peak in Athletes ' 20s and early 30s -- the youngest athlete on this year 's 14 - person United States Olympic team is 21 while the oldest is 31 .
Athletes can fence at any age , but the elite typically peak in their 20s and early 30s -- the youngest athlete on this year 's 14 - person United States Olympic team is 21 while the oldest is 31 .