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

Mariel Zagunis wins a fencing competition in October 2011.
(Omar Torres / AFP / Getty Images)
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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.

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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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