Jan Romary

[niroka]

I'm saddened to hear of her death.

-------
Janice-Lee Romary

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) — Janice-Lee Romary, who competed as a fencer in six consecutive Olympics and was the first woman to carry the U.S. flag during opening ceremonies, has died at her home. She was 79.

Romary died Thursday from complications related to Alzheimer's disease and was buried Saturday, the Herald and News newspaper reported.

Romary competed in the Olympics from 1948 until 1968, finishing fourth in 1952 and 1956. Her total of 10 U.S. foil championships is the most of any man or woman.

Romary carried the flag at her final Olympics, the 1968 games at Mexico City.

After her Olympic fencing career, she was the women's administrator for the 1976 Montreal Olympics, responsible for all U.S. women competitors. She was also the commissioner of fencing for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Romary was one of seven U.S. athletes to participate in six or more Olympic games, and the only woman. She was also the first female athlete from any country to participate in six Olympics. Swedish fencer Kerstin Palm later eclipsed Romary's mark, appearing in seven Olympics from 1964-1988.

Romary had won eight national championships in 13 years when she missed the 1959 championships because of a pregnancy.

"I can remember when she took lessons sitting on a high stool when she was pregnant so that she wouldn't have to stand on her feet," said her husband, Charles, also an elite fencer.

After giving birth, Romary went on to win two more national titles and a gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games.

[Craig]

Also reported here on the front page on Jun 1st - Passing of a Champion - Jan Romary

[niroka]

Thanks, Craig. I missed that. Who comes closest to winning the most national championships -- is it Bilodeaux?

[midi]

And in the Los Angeles Times this week - Wednesday or Tuesday.

[fatfencer]

Wasn't she a student of Nadi? I'm sure she had other coaches before and after but wasn't he his primary teacher?

[Purple Fencer]

Thanks, Craig. I missed that. Who comes closest to winning the most national championships -- is it Bilodeaux?

Peter Westbrook with 13, I think.

[Jvanhousen]

From American Fencing:
<<Most Amazing Team Victory at U.S.
Nationals
In 1956 Maxine Mitchell and Jan
York Romary (representing a Califor-
nia Composite team) fenced the U.S.
National Women’s Foil Team event
without a third competitor. (All Wom-
en’s Foil bouts were fenced for 4
touches until 1976 and women’s target
area did not extend below the waist
until 1960.)
Forfeiting three bouts each round,
the two women went undefeated
to win the U.S. Women’s Foil Team
Crown. Their victory so upset the New
York contingent that a rule was insert-
ed for the future to require 3 members
to compete.>>

Here's a question: Which fencers today do you think could pull this off?

[fatfencer]

IF, IF I say... If I shaved my legs and got some hair extensions then yes I could pull it off.

Although I'm HyUUUj(said with Scottish accent) I still move faster than women foilists.

And since I'm Hyuuge..I count as at least 2 people. SO.

By deduction... I could pull this off. BWAHAHAHA

I'm kidding. This is really an astounding bit of trivia. Forfeiting bouts and still winning. That definitely is the bomb-diggity. She must have been quite the fencer.

Fatfencer

[Purple Fencer]

IF, IF I say... If I shaved my legs and got some hair extensions then yes I could pull it off.

Although I'm HyUUUj(said with Scottish accent) I still move faster than women foilists.

And since I'm Hyuuge..I count as at least 2 people. SO.

By deduction... I could pull this off. BWAHAHAHA

Fatfencer

Dude....you could get Dolly Parton-eqsue implants and you wouldn't pass as a girl!

[fencerbill]

From American Fencing:
<<Most Amazing Team Victory at U.S.
Nationals
In 1956 Maxine Mitchell and Jan
York Romary (representing a Califor-
nia Composite team) fenced the U.S.
National Women’s Foil Team event
without a third competitor. (All Wom-
en’s Foil bouts were fenced for 4
touches until 1976 and women’s target
area did not extend below the waist
until 1960.)
Forfeiting three bouts each round,
the two women went undefeated
to win the U.S. Women’s Foil Team
Crown. Their victory so upset the New
York contingent that a rule was insert-
ed for the future to require 3 members
to compete.>>

Here's a question: Which fencers today do you think could pull this off?

Reminiscent of when a New York University (NYU, I think) had just a couple of fencers who fenced all 3 weapons and won college meets. I think it was the DeCapriles brothers.

[fatfencer]

Dude....you could get Dolly Parton-eqsue implants and you wouldn't pass as a girl!

That's so amazingly true it hurts!!

But then again, if I did get them I'd be very occupied!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA

I'm going to burn this image into all of your minds!!! BWAHAHAHAH (evil laugh)