The British Olympic Association is pleased to announce that the following fencing athletes have been selected to represent Great Britain as members of Team GB at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Sydney.

James Beevers in Men’s Foil James is 21- years-old and has just completed his degree in English & History of Art at Goldsmiths College, London. He fences for Cyrano Club on Canvey Island.

James’ father Martin fenced at Epee in the Montreal Olympic Games. James was Great Britain national Foil champion 1999 & 2000 and is current Foil number one. This will be his first Olympic Games.

James Williams in Men’s Sabre James is 33- years-old and was born in Huddersfied but now lives in Rainham, Kent. He is an ex-army Physical Training Instructor. He worked in Health Promotion before joining the British Olympic Association as a Technical Officer.

He has been fencing seriously for 12 years, mainly for London Thames Fencing Club now based at St Paul’s School, Barnes. James has attended two Olympic Games – Barcelona and Atlanta. In Atlanta he beat the legendary Peter Westbrook of the USA. James was Great Britain national senior Sabre champion in 1996 and 2000 and has been Great Britain number one for the last four years. His coach is Peter Frohlich of Hungary.

Simon Clegg, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for the Olympic Games, said: ‘I am delighted that both James’ have qualified for the Olympic Games in Sydney, through what has been a particularly gruelling qualifying process. I am, of course, extremely pleased that a member of the BOA’s staff has made Team GB, which will add to our in house experience.’

Source: British Olympic Association