Title
Honoring and recognizing Maia Weintraub for representing Philadelphia and the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympics and winning a gold medal in team fencing.
Body
WHEREAS, Maia Weintraub was born in Philadelphia on October 24, 2002 to Elizabeth Surin and Jason Weintraub. She graduated from Friends Select High School in 2021. She began fencing at age 8 when her uncles, who were both fencers, encouraged her to try the sport; and
WHEREAS, Maia is currently a junior at Princeton University and is considering majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology or molecular biology. Since joining the Tigers’ fencing team, Maia has earned numerous honors, including All American, NCAA Qualifier, First Team All Ivy League, Ivy League Foil Champion, USFCA All-Region First Team, USFCA All-Academic and NCAA Regional Champion. In 2022, she was the NCAA Champion in women’s foil fencing; and
WHEREAS, Maia’s Olympic career began in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympic games, where she was part of the fencing delegation. At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Maia entered competition as the thirteenth ranked fencer in the world; and
WHEREAS, As part of the women’s fencing team, Maia helped secure the Olympic Gold Medal for Team USA. This was the first American team, male or female, to claim gold in the team-based competition. En route to a gold medal, the team bested representation from China, Canada and defeated top-seeded Italy in the gold medal match; and
WHEREAS, Maia is an inspiration to all, but especially to those of Jewish heritage. She was part of a coalition of Jewish representation on Team USA, and specifically fencing. Of the 20 members of the U.S. fencing team, six are Jewish or come from Jewish families; and
WHEREAS, Maia’s hard work and dedication as a student-athlete earned her the opportunity to proudly represent the City of Philadelphia on the international stage and earn her a gold medal; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Honors and recognizes Maia Weintraub for representing Philadelphia and the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympics and winning a gold medal in team fencing.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Maia Weintraub as a sign of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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