USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In a move that marks a significant milestone for the sport of fencing and the future of parafencing, the Team USA Athletes' Commission has welcomed a new face. 

USA Fencing is thrilled to announce that Rick Swauger has been elected as the new Paralympic — Individual General alternate on the Team USA Athletes' Commission, or AC. 

Swauger will serve as the alternate to Lee Ford-Faherty, a Paralympic archer. The election makes Swauger the third representative from fencing to serve on this influential body in the 2021–24 quad.

The Team USA AC serves as a conduit for athlete voices, aiming to inspire and drive positive change within Team USA and the broader Olympic and Paralympic movements. The AC includes at least one athlete and one alternate from each National Governing Body (NGB), one athlete from Sports on the program at Delegation events governed by the USOPC, and six Paralympic athletes. 

USA Fencing is also represented on the AC by Kat Holmes OLY and alternate Lauryn DeLuca PLY. 

Swauger steps into the role following paratriathlete Hailey Danz's recent departure. Ford-Faherty, who was the acting alternate, moved into the representative position. That meant, according to Team USA AC Bylaws, the alternate seat needed to be filled.

In his role, Swauger will serve as a collective voice for various Para sports, including archery, badminton, canoe, equestrian, judo, rowing, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, wheelchair fencing, and wheelchair tennis.

Please join us in congratulating Rick Swauger on this momentous achievement. We look forward to his contributions to the Team USA Athletes’ Commission and the sport of fencing.