Elaine Cheris: key obituary facts
Is Elaine Cheris dead? Yes. Elaine Cheris died on August 19, 2026, at age 80.
Cause of death: Elaine Cheris's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Elaine Cheris known for?
She was an American fencer.
More about Elaine Cheris
Born: 8 January 1946.
Place of birth: Dothan.
Gender: female.
Occupation: fencer, sports journalist.
Nationality: United States.
Education: Troy University.
Also known as: Elaine Gayle Cheris.
Elaine Cheris, an American Olympic fencer, died on August 19, 2026, at age 80.
Also known as Elaine Gayle Cheris, she was born in Dothan, Alabama, and became a foil and épée competitor who represented the United States at the Olympics in 1988 and 1996. She earned a BS in physical education and sports psychology from Troy University in 1971, where she competed on the men’s track team, and later worked in sports journalism.
Cheris began fencing at 29, after helping build a fencing program while serving as assistant athletic director at a Jewish Community Center in New Haven, Connecticut.