Fencer Mariel Zagunis to be U.S. flag bearer at opening ceremony

Two-time Olympic fencing champion Mariel Zagunis will be the flag bearer for the U.S. at Friday’s opening ceremony in London. Zagunis was chosen by a vote of fellow Team USA members.

“I’m extremely humbled by this incredible privilege,” Zagunis said. “As an athlete, I can’t imagine a higher honor than to lead Team USA into the Olympic Games, which are the pinnacle of sport and a platform for world peace. I am tremendously proud to represent my sport, our team and, most importantly, the United States of America.”

The top-ranked women’s saber fencer in the world, Zagunis won gold as a 19-year-old at the Athens Games in 2004 and went on to defend her title in Beijing in 2008 before taking the individual world championship titles in 2009 and 2010.

U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM FLAG BEARERS
1908 Ralph Rose, track & field

1912 George V. Bonhag, track & field

1920 Patrick J. McDonald, track & field

1924 Patrick J. McDonald, track & field

1928 Lemuel (Bud) C. Houser, track & field

1932 F. Morgan Taylor, track & field

1936 Alfred A. Jochim, gymnastics

1948 Ralph C. Craig, yachting

1952 Norman C. Armitage, fencing

1956 Norman C. Armitage, fencing; Warren B. Wooford, equestrian

1960 Rafer L. Johnson, track & field

1964 William Parry O’Brien, track & field

1968 Janice Lee Romary, fencing

1972 Olga Fikotova Connolly, track & field

1976 Gary W. Hall, swimming

1980 U.S. did not attend

1984 Edward Burke, track & field

1988 Evelyn Ashford, track & field

1992 Francie Larrieu Smith, track & field

1996 Bruce Baumgartner, wrestling

2000 Cliff Meidl, canoe/kayak

2004 Dawn Staley, basketball

2008 Lopez Lomong, track & field

2012 Mariel Zagunis, fencing

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