London, England – Two-time Olympic champion fencer Mariel Zagunis has been selected as flag bearer for the United States in the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Zagunis is the first fencing athlete to serve as flag bearer since 1968, when Janice Lee Romary led the U.S. team in Mexico City.
"I'm extremely humbled by this incredible privilege," said Zagunis. "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."
Zagunis became the first U.S. fencer to win gold at the Olympics in 100 years in 2004. She went on to defend her title in Beijing before taking the individual world championship titles in 2009 and 2010.
She added seven individual international medals in 2011. In 2012, Zagunis tallied eight international medals.
Zagunis will compete in the individual sabre competition on Aug. 1.
The U.S. flag bearer for the 2008 Games in Beijing was distance runner Lopez Lomong.
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