Elizabeth Tartakovsky: From Ballet to Olympic Fencing

Elizabeth Tartakovsky, a former ballet dancer, has found her calling in fencing and is poised to represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her journey from the dance studio to the fencing piste is a testament to her hard work and determination.

Elizabeth Tartakovsky's athletic journey began with ballet, where she honed her coordination and flexibility. However, the structured nature of ballet did not fully ignite her passion. Seeking something more stimulating, she decided to try fencing.

Tartakovsky's inspiration for fencing came from a young age, watching her great uncle, famed Olympic fencing coach Yury Gelman, guide the men's Sabre team to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Fascinated by the sport's speed and precision, she expressed her desire to give fencing a try.

At the urging of her Ukrainian immigrant parents, who instilled in her the value of hard work, Tartakovsky enrolled in a local fencing club in New Jersey. There, she discovered her natural talent for the sport.

"I always shared the story that I got kicked out of ballet class for talking too much," Tartakovsky recalled with a smile, reflecting on her transition from ballet to fencing.

Tartakovsky's parents, who came to the United States seeking a better future, encouraged her to pursue her athletic dreams. Their unwavering support has been a driving force in her success.

"They instilled hard work in me, and they wanted a better future for me than what they had themselves," Tartakovsky said. "And I'm very glad that I can do this for them and also just for myself to realize what a high level I reached in my athletic career."

As she prepares to represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tartakovsky feels a profound sense of gratitude and responsibility.

"I think it'll also be really amazing to meet the other athletes on Team USA," she said. "I mean, we're really a melting pot of people from different backgrounds and different experiences. It's very special, and it's very special to me to be able to represent a country that's given me this opportunity to succeed."

While Tartakovsky sets her sights on the ultimate goal of an Olympic medal, she remains focused on savoring the journey and appreciating the camaraderie of her fellow athletes.

"Only one person comes out with a gold medal," she said. "So, I don't want my experience to be defined by the result. I really just want to take it all in and really be grateful to myself even [with] how far I allowed myself to get, all the barriers I overcame and to just celebrate this big achievement and to soak in the experience."

Tartakovsky's story is an inspiration to those who dare to follow their dreams and embrace new challenges. Her path from ballet to fencing demonstrates that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.