ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606190032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
THE WOMEN'S OLYMPIC foil team has a wide variety of activities planned for its upcoming stay in the Roanoke Valley. |Staff report| Virginia Amateur Sports has a busy schedule planned for the U.S. Women's Olympic Foil Team, which will train in the Roanoke Valley from Sunday through June 30.
The foil team, part of the U.S. fencing squad, will be based at Hollins College and will give an exhibition at Tanglewood Mall at 2 p.m. June 29.
The five-woman squad includes: current U.S. Fencing Association national champion Felicia Zimmerman; 1992 Olympian Ann Marsh; Suzie Paxton, who is ranked eighth in the world; and alternates Sara Walsh and Iris Zimmerman.
The foil team, ranked third in the world, recently completed trials in Cincinnati and has returned to its base in Rochester, N.Y., to prepare for the trip to Roanoke.
``They're considered a potential medal-winner,'' said John Heil, the director of sport science with the USFA and a VAS board member. An Olympic medal this year ``would be the first in [American] fencing since 1984.''
The foil team will hold three practices open to the public: 6-9 p.m. June 25; 10 a.m. to noon June 26; and 10 a.m. to noon June 27.
While in the Roanoke area, the team will tour the City Market, hike Tinker Mountain, visit the Roanoke County Teen Center and canoe down the James River.
Local municipalities and businesses are providing approximately $6,000 of cash and in-kind services to sponsor the team's stay.
``Fencing isn't one of the most highly funded sports, so it's a big boost of confidence for them to come to a comfortable environment and have their needs met and keep their expenses down,'' said Heil.
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