Olympic Countdown: Q&A with Richard Kruse

What event are you taking part in?
Men's Foil - individual and team events.

How did you get into sports? How old were you?
I got into fencing aged 10 via a local club. I'm now 28.

What was your first ever job - and were you any good at it?
Working in the Leon Paul (fencing equipment) factory. I wasn't that good at it but to be honest my heart wasn't in my work!

If an MP3 player really could hold only three tunes, what would you select for the ultimate soundtrack to your life?
Fleetwood Mac - The Chain
Led Zeppelin - Stairway to heaven
The Steptoe and Son theme tune.

Who was your top teenage pin-up?
Clare Velden (British fencer).

My teammates won't know this about me but...
I think my answer to the above question would suffice here!

Favourite book of all time?
Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kästner.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don't eat yellow snow (given by Jack from the Leon Paul factory).

What would be your chosen superpower?
I would quite like to do that thing Superman does when he flies around the world the wrong way and reverses time. Although I think that encompasses a few superpowers!

How would a typical school report about you read?
Pre-fencing my school reports looked like Bart Simpson's. Afterwards they looked more like the other Simpsons character Martin Prince's.

My top tip for becoming an Olympian is?
Have the Olympics in your own country.

What's the most annoying thing your teammates do?
You'd need to specify which one. I assure you I've got an answer for all of them!

My last supper would comprise...
Eggs and bacon - this will always be my favourite meal!

Who has been the most influential person in your life to date?
Jesus Christ, Yuri Geller and I'm a big fan of Jewish magicians.

When I'm not competing I like to...
Go for a nice walk in the park.

Last film you saw?
The Hunger Games - like a sedate version of Battle Royal.

If I wasn't an athlete I would probably be...
In prison.

Name your five ideal dinner party guests (dead or alive) very briefly noting what they bring to the party
Kim Jung Il (with translator) - he could bring kimchi to the dinner party; William G Stewart - he could bring a nice malt whisky; ‘Super Hans' from Peepshow - he could bring some fine Cuban cigars; Nigel Kennedy - he could bring his violin for the post meal entertainment; Ferenc Puskas - he could bring a football for a kick-about in the park afterwards.

Marmite: foods of the gods or work of the devil?
Love it! I also love liquorice too which most people seem to hate.

Career high point to date?
The Olympic Games 2004 and 2008.

Who insures your car and home?
I can't afford a car just yet, and I'm not sure who insures my flat!

Can you win the gold in London?
We'll soon see! The biggest battle is with my own brain. If I can win that battle then the rest don't stand a chance.