| Who knew that building a web site and active | | | | a thriving community site where fencers can |
| online community would be the path to qualifying | | | | discuss the latest news and share tips and gossip. |
| for the Beijing Olympic Games? Craig Harkins, the | | | | "US Fencing is delighted to hear that fencing.net |
| owner and operator of Fencing.Net, recently | | | | will be making the trip to Beijing. We know that |
| learned that he had become one of only 5,600 | | | | the U.S. market will be provided with real-time |
| members of media worldwide to earn a spot in | | | | news and interviews with the U.S. team and |
| Beijing covering the Olympic Games. The Atlantan | | | | international athletes from across the world." said |
| will be going to Beijing in 2008 to report on the | | | | Cindy Bent Findlay, Media Coordinator for the |
| progress of the US Olympic Fencing Team as | | | | United States Fencing Association. "Fencing.net has |
| their members attempt to improve on the Gold | | | | taken reporting on our sport to a new level and |
| and Bronze medal brought back from the 2004 | | | | so we look forward to more great coverage |
| Athens Games. "When I was reporting on the | | | | from Beijing." Since 1995, Fencing.Net has provided |
| Olympics in 2000, I was staying up late, using my | | | | resources for beginning fencers as well as |
| Internet connection to view the fencing and | | | | experienced fencers looking to improve their level |
| relying on past interviews with the Olympians" | | | | of competitiveness in the sport. Now the |
| said Craig Harkins. "After that, my goal was to | | | | company site has extended its services to help |
| make it to the next Olympics. When I learned | | | | people find fencing clubs and camps in their area |
| that the USOC had awarded Fencing.Net a media | | | | and to provide the necessary equipment for |
| credential for the Beijing Olympics, I did a little | | | | participation in the sport. Harkins, who is taking a |
| dance!" Fencing.Net has been featured in the most | | | | break from competitive fencing, now runs |
| recent publication of the United States Fencing | | | | Fencing.Net as a full-time enterprise, having |
| Association and recognizedas a key site on | | | | recently opened an online fencing equipment store |
| Olympic Fencing by Yahoo!'s Olympic guide as far | | | | at |
| back as the 2000 Games. The site, found at | | | | Craig Harkins has been an active fencer for over |
| offers a wide range of information about the | | | | 20 years and has been credentialed to report at |
| sport as well as up to date news, training tips, and | | | | the Beijing Olympic Fencing competitions. |