MFC is going to the Olympics!

Two MFC members are going to the Tokyo Olympics. Yes, really!

You probably didn't know that, did you? Well, now you do!

Those mystery members are Marina Carrier and Joe Raciborski. Marina will be representing Australia in Modern Pentathlon, which has a fencing component (one-touch épée, intense!). Joe will be travelling with her as one of the coaches on the Australian Olympic Pentathlon team. Pretty exciting!

MFC is lots of things and I love it for lots of reasons. We're friendly, inclusive, accessible and heaps of fun. But we're also incredibly well resourced in terms of our coaching team. And because of that support from our coaches, and our inclusive culture, MFC is a place where everyone can participate and shine in their own way – whether that's a swashbuckling eight year old trying to find a glove small enough, someone like me who loves fencing but whose physical limitations means they sometimes work with the coaches to devise modified training activities, an energetic teenager who really likes stabbing things, or someone like Marina who competes at the highest levels of our sport. Fencing is for everyone and when we say that we really mean it – this Club is diversity in action and it's fantastic. Of all the things I like best about this Club that may just be my favourite.

But back to the Olympics! Marina and Joe have very kindly offered to do some interviews and answer questions about all things Olympic and fencing. I've heard all sorts of rumours about people who go to the Olympics that I'd like to get to the bottom of – do they really eat 18 Weetbix for breakfast? Is training fun? Is there music that gets them ready to compete? Do they drink coffee?

If you're like me and you have questions too (maybe yours are more serious, maybe even sillier) then Joe and Marina will answer them. Send them to marinaandjoe@mountainsfencingclub.org.au and when we have enough we'll interview these two extraordinary athletes and get some answers! And if you'd like to know more about Marina and Joe visit the Tokyo Olympics page of our website.