Norman Cohn-Armitage

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Referee • Other
SexMale
Full nameNorman Cudworth•Cohn-Armitage
Used nameNorman•Cohn-Armitage
Born1 January 1907 in Albany, New York (USA)
Died14 March 1972 in New York, New York (USA)
Measurements185 cm / 81 kg
AffiliationsFencers Club, New York (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Norman Armitage took up fencing while a student at Columbia and, in 1928, won the IFA sabre individual championships and a berth on the Olympic team. He made six Olympic teams in all, and his span of 28 years between appearances is unmatched among U.S. Olympic athletes. At the 1948 Olympics, Armitage was the cornerstone of the sabre team that won the bronze medal. Also in 1948 he was part of the three-man color guard that carried the U.S. flag in the opening ceremonies. At the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, Armitage was standard bearer himself. Armitage’s record domestically is as lengthy as his Olympic record. In 25 years he placed in the first three in the sabre individual 22 times, winning on 10 occasions. He also won seven outdoor sabre individual titles and was a member of six national championship teams. Armitage spent his business career first as a chemical engineer, then briefly as a patent lawyer before returning to chemical research. In a chemical accident in January 1936, he was the victim of third-degree burns on his right hand and arm. He was not expected to be able to fence again, but through exercise and determination he strengthened the arm sufficiently to make the 1936 Olympic team.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Norman Cohn
Sabre, Individual, Men (Olympic) 7 p3 r2/3
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) United States =3 p2 r1/3
1932 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Norman Armitage
Sabre, Individual, Men (Olympic) 9
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 4
1936 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Norman Armitage
Sabre, Individual, Men (Olympic) 6 p3 r1/4
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) United States =5
1948 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Norman Armitage
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 3 Bronze
1952 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Norman Cohn-Armitage
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) United States 4
1956 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Norman Cohn-Armitage
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) United States =5

Referee

Games Sport (Discipline) / Event NOC / Team Phase Unit Role As
1932 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Norman Cohn-Armitage
Foil, Individual, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Jury
Épée, Individual, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Jury
Sabre, Individual, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Jury
Foil, Team, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Jury
Épée, Team, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Jury
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Jury
Foil, Individual, Women (Olympic) Final Standings Jury
1936 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Norman Cohn-Armitage
Foil, Team, Men (Olympic) Round One Germany — Canada Judge
Foil, Individual, Women (Olympic) Round One Pool 1 Judge
1952 Summer Olympics Fencing USA Norman Cohn-Armitage
Foil, Individual, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Official
Épée, Individual, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Official
Sabre, Individual, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Official
Foil, Team, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Official
Épée, Team, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Official
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) Final Standings Official
Foil, Individual, Women (Olympic) Final Standings Official

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1952 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony USA Norman Cohn-Armitage
1956 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony USA Norman Cohn-Armitage