Flessel earned the nickname "La Guepe" (the Wasp) in Guadeloupe. She is left-handed and has been passionate about fencing since childhood. Her memorable sporting achievement includes winning individual and team gold in epee at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Personal Life

Laura resides in Paris with her husband Denis Colovic and daughter Leïlou, born in 2001. She is multilingual, speaking English, French, and Spanish. Her hobbies include golf, opera, scuba diving, travelling, spending time with family and friends, movies, dancing, music, and French fashion.

Philosophy and Rituals

Flessel believes that fencing is a sport of maturity, similar to golf or chess. She relies more on mental strength than physical prowess as she gains experience. She always listens to music during training sessions to stay focused.

Retirement and Legacy

After the 2012 Olympic Games, where she was France's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, Flessel retired from competitive fencing. She joked that her daughter’s wish to meet the Queen of England influenced her decision to continue until 2012. Post-retirement, she remains involved in developing fencers from France and its overseas territories.

Government and Charity Work

In October 2010, Flessel was named to the Economic, Social and Environmental Council in Paris. She worked on integrating sport into children's education. She has also been involved with 'Plan France' and 'Handicap International', helping sick and disadvantaged children. Additionally, she assisted earthquake recovery efforts in Guadeloupe and Haiti.

Pregnancy and Fencing

Flessel continued fencing even during her pregnancy. After the Sydney Olympics, she took a break but resumed training while three months pregnant. Her dedication paid off when she won a silver medal at the world championships in 2001, four months after giving birth.

Doping Controversy

In November 2002, Flessel faced a three-month suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. She claimed it was due to a mix-up by a national federation doctor. The doctor admitted an inexperienced assistant had bought the wrong glucose supplement containing the banned substance. Flessel received compensation of approximately 100,000 euros from the federation's insurers.

Future Plans

Laura plans to pursue a master’s degree in political science while continuing her work as a consultant, councillor, volunteer, and home duties manager. Her commitment to fencing and community service remains unwavering as she aims to inspire future generations of athletes.