Bio

Olympian Molly Sullivan Sliney was a distinguished member of the 1988 and 1992 United States fencing team. Molly also was a member of the 1987 and 1991 Pan American teams where she won two gold medals.

A Massachusetts native, Molly started fencing at age ten as a way build her self-esteem. Because of her learning disability, dyslexia, she lacked confidence and belief in herself. Encouraged by her father Joseph, and coach Joe Pechinsky, she not only had success on the fencing strip but also in the class room. Attending the University of Notre Dame on a full scholarship, she received her Bachelors in Marketing while winning two NCAA titles, a mark recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. Notre Dame also named her 1980's Female Athlete of the Decade. Though she has a tremendous list of athletic accomplishments, she views her college diploma as one of her greatest achievements.

Since retiring from competition in 1992, Molly has been an active public speaker and fencing instructor. By sharing her life experiences, she teaches youth to believe in themselves, to set goals and to work every day to achieve those goals, no matter what the obstacles. In July 2017, she was inducted into the United States Fencing Hall of Fame.

In September 2017, Molly teamed up with world champion epee fencer Arpad Horvath and joined Vivo Fencing Club as a partner and coach. The club has relocated to a to 6,000 Sq Feet of space in Bradford, MA with 14 electric strips. Vivo is now a two-weapon club offering both Foil and Epee fencing. 

Fencing Resume

• 2017 - Inducted into the United States Fencing Hall of Fame

• 1992 - United States Olympic Women's Foil Individual and Team Participant, Barcelona, Spain

• 1991 - United States Pan American Women's Foil Team Participant, Havana, Cuba (Gold Medalist)

• 1991 - World Championship Women's Foil Individual and Team Participant, Budapest, Hungary

• 1990 - World Championship Women's Foil Individual and Team Participant, Lyon, France

• 1980's - University of Notre Dame's Female Athlete of the Decade

• 1989 - World Championship Women's Foil Individual and Team Participant, Denver, Colorado

• 1988 - United States Olympic Women's Foil Team Participant, Seoul, Korea

• 1984-88 - NCAA All American

• 1988 - NCAA Women's Foil Individual Champion

• 1987 - United States Pan American Women's Foil Team Member, Indianapolis, Indiana (Gold Medalist)

• 1987 - NCAA Women's Foil Team Champion

• 1987 - World Championship Women's Foil Individual and team Participant, Laursanne, Switzerland

• 1986 - NCAA Women's Foil Individual Champion

• 1985 - United States National Women's Foil Champion

• 1985 - United States Junior National Women's Foil Champion

• 1984 - Junior World Championship Women's Foil Individual Participant, Leningrad, Russia

• 1979 - Junior World Championship Women's Foil Individual Participant, Laursanne, Switzerland

Press

Salem News
Olympic Fencer Molly Sliney tells kids, 'Believe in Yourself'

Merrimack Valley Magazine
Playing with Swords

Tewksbury Town Crier
Olympic Fencer show students how to conquer negative thinking

Lawrence Eagle Tribune
A twice in a lifetime experience: Former fencer reflects on Olympics

Haverhill Gazette
Making their point with the sword

Topsfield News
Steward School Hosts Olympic Fencer

Herald News
Olympian Helps Kids Find Their Inner Champions

Danvers Herald
Olympic fencer Molly Sliney shares story of struggle and triumph

Salem News
Olympic Fencer Inspires Highlands Students

Standard Times
Brown Schoolers get inspiring talk from ex-Olympian

Haverhill Gazette
Haverhill Youth Fencing