Argentine fencer Manuel Torrente was a solicitor by profession, and also worked for the Municipality of Rosario. He was the Argentine foil champion three years in succession 1944-46, and competed in the 1936 and 1948 Olympics, finishing, respectively equal seventh, and equal fifth, in the team foil competition. He was one of 199 Argentinian competitors at the London Games, but was the only one not to return, as he died en route home. During the Atlantic crossing on board the SS Brazil Torrente was taken ill with peritonitis and had an emergency operation. However, his condition deteriorated, and he was air-lifted off the boat to a hospital on São Vicente island (Cape Verde), but died the next day. His wife and 10-year-old son were travelling with him.
Argentina