Mike Marx

Mike Marx competed at the 1984, 1998, 1992, and 1996 Olympics in fencing, switching weapons to the épée in 1996 after competing in the foil from 1984-92. He also competed at four Pan American Games (1979, 1983, 1987, 1995), winning five medals with an individual foil bronze in 1987, and also switching to épée at the 1995 Pan Ams.

Marx was an eight-time US foil champion (1977, 1979, 1982, 1985-87, 1990, 1993). His brother, Robert Marx, competed in épée at the 1984-92 Olympics, and his ex-wife, Leslie Marx, competed at the first women’s Olympic épée competition in 1996 (they later divorced). Both brothers were taught to fence by their mother, Colleen Olney, a fencing coach in Oregon.

Michael Marx graduated from Portland State University in 1979 with a chemistry degree. He later earned a Master of Arms degree in Poland in 1993. He has worked as a fencing coach at Northwest Fencing Center in Beaverton, Oregon; at Duke University, and at the Boston Fencing Club. Marx has also served as US national women’s épée coach. He has been a vice-president of the US Fencing Association (USFA) from 1992-96 and served as a staff member of the USFA Coaches College. Marx was inducted into the USFA Hall of Fame in 1997, and in 2003 became a member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.