Texas State's Moreau to officiate Olympic pentathlon

John Moreau, a faculty member in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at Texas State University-San Marcos, will serve as an official in the Modern Pentathlon competition in the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Moreau is no stranger to Olympic competition. He was a member of the U.S. fencing team in both the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and Seoul respectively. But this is the first time he has been called upon to serve as an official, and he is looking forward to his new role.

“Eight officials have been selected from around the world, and I was the only official chosen from the Western Hemisphere, so I feel honored to be a part of it,” said Moreau.

The Modern Pentathlon is a demanding sport in which athletes compete in five events in one day – swimming, pistol shooting, fencing, horseback riding and running. Moreau is certified to referee and judge in all five events.

The men’s competition will take place Aug. 21 and the women’s competition will be held Aug. 22. Moreau will stay in Beijing through the closing ceremonies.

Moreau has previous experience in officiating international Modern Pentathlon competition. He was an official last year at the world championships in Berlin and at the World Cup in Beijing.

An internationally renowned fencer, Moreau is a former national champion in Epee competition. He is a senior lecturer at Texas State and has been a member of the university faculty for 25 years.

In addition to his work at Texas State, Moreau operates the All Texas Athletic Center in San Marcos, a non-profit organization that teaches fencing and other athletic activities.

“Our goal is to interest young people and their parents in the sport of fencing,” he said.