Beijing Beat: Iris Zimmermann

Iris Zimmermann (Rush, N.Y.) had all but hung up her sword in the sport of fencing after competing in the 2000 Olympic Games.  But after the IOC brought back the women’s team foil event to the Olympic program, Zimmermann decided to make one more run at Olympic glory.

The Asian-American fencer put on hold a budding political career and quit her job as a campaign worker for California Democratic candidate Steve Westly.

Now, she’s vying for a chance to return to her mother’s native land and a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team that will compete in Beijing.