Cool Fencing Picture of the Day: Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis is GOLD! (Literally!)

Defending USA Fencing’s Greatest Champion: Writer @mikewiseguy and his hatchet job on @marielzagunis in the @washingtonpost

First, congratulations to Mariel Zagunis and Seth Kelsey on making it to the final 4 of the London Olympics yesterday and to the medalists for putting on a great show.   Fencing has come along way in the past 8 years.

I wanted to address an article today in the Washington Post by writer Mike Wise titled Mariel Zagunis loses her fencing semifinal bout, and the Olympic Spirit that was about as critical a piece I’ve read on an athlete since Lebron James said he was “taking his talents to South Beach.”

I’m competing tomorrow, but was so bothered by its contents that I just needed to respond.    So, this will be brief but to the point.

Mariel Zagunis was selected as our flag bearer because for her career she has been a role model, an Olympic Champion and a great representative for our sport and the Olympic movement.    Yesterday, she carried more pressure and expectations into that fencing tournament than probably any other fencer in US history times two.   She was trying to win a gold medal for the 3rd straight Olympics, a feat that not many Olympians in any sport have accomplished.

Unfortunately she came up short, but we’re all proud of her.

Mr Wise: Maybe she didn’t respond to defeat to your liking, but she didn’t make excuses, throw her equipment, curse anyone out or do anything but respond as best she could to an emotionally challenging situation.     I have seen far worst displays from athletes and this one certainly didn’t warrant the zeal to which you attacked her in your article.

It is legitimate to criticize athletes for their behavior (yes, even fencers), but your article was a personal attack.  The Washington Post should know better and this belonged more in an “OP-ED” section that a sports section.

To quote a bit from Mike Wise in the article:

There goes the emotional sitdown with Costas. The brainless chit-chat in the morning with Matt Lauer and a cereal-box cover are also off the table.

Say buh-bye, America. Mariel Zagunis’s Q-rating just left the building.   Thanks for carrying the Stars and Stripes into the Opening Ceremonies, Miss Flag Bearer. Now pack your swords and go home for four years. We’ll call you before we get to Rio.

Really? This is not journalism.

Fencing is a great sport and Mariel Zagunis is a great champion.  Whether people are writing about it or not over the next 3 years, she’ll be working hard to achieve her goals while conducting herself as a role model and contributing to our society.   She pursues excellence not for the Bob Costas sit down or the Wheaties box, but because she is trying to be the best she can be.    And in the end, that IS the Olympic spirit.

PS Don’t mess with the fencing team.   We have swords.(and twitter)

Catch Fencing Masters on TV!!! (It will air 8 times — win a free T-shirt for posting a picture of yourself with it airing!)

Post a picture of yourself watching Fencing Masters to FB or Twitter and I’ll send you a T-Shirt when I’m back from the Olympics!

On Universal Sports Network:
Thursday 7/19 @ 7:30pm — already aired.

Friday 7/20 @ 12:30 AM ET
Friday 7/20 @ 11:00 AM ET
Tuesday 7/24 @ 7:00 PM ET
Wednesday 7/25 @ 12:30 PM ET

On SportsNet NY (network of NY METS on in NY, NJ, Philly, CT)

Saturday, July 21st – 12:00p
Sunday, July 22nd – 8:30a
Sunday, July 22nd – 1:00p

Fencing Masters 2010: Women’s Final Zagunis Vs. Zharlan at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC

Mariel Zagunis will be back at Fencing Masters 2012 along with the rest of the 2012 US Olympic Fencing Team! Don’t miss the action.

Get your tickets today at: www.fencingmastersnyc.com/tickets

 

Cool Fencing Picture of the Day: Mariel Zagunis is a Jeopardy Answer!

Awesome!

Help out Fencing Masters 2012: Here is a Sample Email You can send to your Friends!

Hi Friends!

Fencing Masters 2012 needs YOU to help make this years event a success!  Please help us by getting a ticket if you haven’t already (www.fencingmastersnyc.com/tickets) and by spreading the word to your friends on social networks and via email.

I’ve included a sample email below you can send to your friends and feel free to edit to your liking!   THANK YOU! -Tm

Dear Fencing Friends,

Fencing Masters 2012: Kick-off to London hits New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom on June 26, 2012. This special showcase tournament is your chance to see America’s best fencers compete in their last appearance before they take the strip at the Olympic Games!

• This is a unique opportunity to get up-close and personal with our 2012 Olympic team and show them your support in person!
• Watch them compete live against some of the most accomplished fencers in the world!
• It is one of the only corporate sponsored, televised fencing competitions in the USA focused on the spectator experience with a set designed stage, instant replay on huge screens and more!
• The event will raise funds for athlete grants as well as Fencing-in-the-Schools, a program designed to bring our sport to kids in underserved neighborhoods.

This is a competition not to be missed.    By attending you’ll be helping to promote and grow our great sport of fencing!

TICKETS: www.fencingmastersnyc.com

PROMO VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S0fNrI4oVs

I’ll see you there!

(YOUR NAME HERE)                                      Tim Morehouse
(YOUR SIGNATURE HERE)                          US Olympic Team ‘12
Founder Fencing Masters

AMAZING Fencing Video of the Day: Mariel Zagunis TD Ameritrade Commercial!

This is awesome!

You can catch Mariel along with most of the 2012 US Olympic Fencing Team competing LIVE in NYC at Fencing Masters: Kick-Off to London on Tuesday, June 26. Tickets are going fast…don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

Tickets and info: www.fencingmastersnyc.com

Cool Fencing Video of the Day: Team USA Women’s Saber WINS the Bronze at World Championships 2012!

Ukraine Vs. USA to make Finals starts at about 3:15

USA Vs. Italy for Bronze starts about 6:00

 

Cool Fencing Picture of the Day: Mariel Zagunis on an envelope for her sponsor Frontier Communications!

Awesome! How fun!

Please “like” my page on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/timmorehouseusa

THANK YOU!

Cool Fencing Video of the Day: Fencing Masters: Kick-Off to London!!!

Fencing Masters: Kick-Off to London “They’re Coming Home!” 

Created by Mike Etropolski and Tim Morehouse.

Super special thanks to Mike for doing all the video editing work on this project!

Please share this and help spread the word about Fencing Masters: Kick-Off to London!

Got your ticket yet? http://www.fencingmastersnyc.com