1 minute read
Editor's Note
Unquestionably, it has been a long, long wait for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Team USA athletes have been chomping at the proverbial bit while quarantined, masked and challenged amid trying to keep their fitness edges sharp and minds focused. There have been rumors and suggestions that the Games would be canceled, might be moved to another country, maybe get postponed again. But the time is upon us and the Games are now imminent, and we are ready to go!
Along with just a few other countries, Team USA Fencing is taking 18 athletes to Tokyo. For the first time in Olympic history, 12 gold medals will be given out in all senior events—no longer do we have to relegate two teams to a mini-World Championship. Our fencers are as trained, ready and gung-ho as they’ve ever been in history. We have a remarkable opportunity to make history this year, and each contender has his and her eyes on winning as never before.
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Clubs are coming back after the pandemic, and for many, numbers are up. Fencing social media is pulling numbers nationally and internationally, our sport is gaining traction and popularity among young athletes.
If there was ever a time to get on the fencing bandwagon, it is now. The Olympics always garner interest in fencing, things are opening and people like our sport. It’s got a “cool factor” we’ve worked hard to attain. We’re seeing more feature stories about fencing, it’s appearing in commercials and elite athletes are even getting invited on late-night television.
I urge each member of USA Fencing to become an ambassador for our sport. Let’s push this as far as it will go and beyond. We’ve got what it takes and we CAN do it! Leverage the Olympics for your club, do whatever you can to get the message out in your community about what a great sport fencing is for kids and take every opportunity to give people the opportunity to experience it.
2021 has the promise of being a golden moment in USA Fencing history. Let’s pull together as a family and do everything in our power to make that happen, at all levels, whatever it takes …
Serge Timacheff Editor, American Fencing Magazine
