FENCING: President Obama Names Olympic Medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad to Council on Fitness

Rio Olympic bronze medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad (Maplewood, N.J.) has been named by President Barack Obama as one of four Olympic medalists to join the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

Muhammad is joined on the council by FIFA Player of the Year Carli Lloyd, who was named a member and co-chair, as well as Olympic Gymnastics Champion Gabrielle Douglas and Caitlin Cahow, a two-time Olympic medalist in ice hockey.

"I am honored to be appointed to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. President Obama's nomination is deeply meaningful to me and I hope to serve the American people in supporting the President and First Lady's important work toward a more health conscious nation," Muhammad said.

The first U.S. woman to compete in a hijab at the Olympic Games, Muhammad won bronze with the U.S. Women's Saber Team in Rio and inspired fans around the world in a year in which she also was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

A graduate of Duke University with degrees in international relations and African and African-American studies, Muhammad previously served on the U.S. Department of State's Council to Empower Women and Girls Through Sports as selected by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

For more information, please contact:

Nicole Jomantas

Tel:719.761.7909

Email: N.Jomantas@usfencing.org

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