The event will feature 2008 Olympic silver medalist Tim Morehouse, live fencing demonstrations by Cherokee Fencing Club / Atlanta Fencers Club and several members of Shepherd Spinal Center’s fencing team, the only disabled fencing team in the U.S. Included among the parafencers will be ParaOlympian Mark Calhoun who placed 16th in Beijing and Dennis Aspy of the national team.
The gathering at Boys & Girls Club will serve as a celebration of Olympic Day. Olympic Day first began on June 23, 1894 when Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a fencer himself, held the first International Olympic Committee meeting. It was at this meeting that the Modern Olympic Games were founded. Olympic Day has since become an international celebration, with each Olympic Committee sending Olympic Day greetings to other participating nations.
The U.S. Fencing Summer National Championships will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center starting Sunday, July 4 and ending Wednesday, July 13. The tournament will consist of 102 events, more than 300 teams and 6,500 fencers of all ages. The 10 day event is open and free to the public.
(Photo: Tim Morehouse blog)