Mariel Zagunis, who also won gold in Athens 2004, has an amazing story. Terrible disappointment in not getting on the U.S. Olympic team in '04, but continued to train, then was able to go because Nigeria didn't send one of its fencers last-minute.
When the NBC announcer said that they were about to show sabre fencing, I had no clue what he was talking about. All I pictured in my head was light sabres. I thought it was cool that their helmets light up when they get a hit, though. And USA sweeps the medals! You go girls!
traditionally usa not a big fensing group. I was on my college's fencing team (ok we were not much of a team) but still saber was my least favorite since it seemed to hurt the most.