Marek Piotr Stepien is an Olympic épée fencer who represented Poland at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. His sporting journey began in competitive swimming, where he trained at Stal Kraśnik in the Lublin region. He later continued his athletic development within elite, multidisciplinary, and academic sporting environments, including the Legia Warszawa Military Sports Club and AZS AWF Warszawa, the Academic Sports Association of the Józef Piłsudski Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw, where he further specialised in fencing. These formative years within high-performance sporting structures laid the foundation for his discipline, resilience, and holistic approach to long-term athlete development.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from the Józef Piłsudski Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw, postgraduate qualifications in European Studies and Educational Management from the University of Warsaw, a degree in Marketing and Communication from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, and an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin.
His academic and professional career reflects a strong and consistent commitment to both educational excellence and high-performance sport. He has held leadership and coaching roles at prestigious institutions in the United Kingdom and the United States, including the University of Cambridge (England, United Kingdom), where he served as Head Fencing Coach, and the University of Notre Dame (USA), where he was responsible for the épée fencing programme, contributing to the development of student-athletes within a highly competitive NCAA and academically rigorous environment. He has also worked at the City of London School for Boys in London, one of the United Kingdom’s leading academic schools.
Alongside his academic work, he served as Head Coach of Haverstock Fencing Club and was the Founder of Brixton Fencing Club, where he developed inclusive and successful programmes that combined competitive achievement with education, mentorship, and community engagement.
Marek Piotr Stepien has also served as an international expert and educator for the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime (FIE), delivering coaching courses, high-performance seminars, and elite training camps, including preparatory programmes ahead of World Championships. In addition, he has contributed to the Olympic Solidarity programme organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), supporting global coach education and the sustainable development of fencing worldwide.
As a coach, mentor, and leader, he has guided athletes to Olympic participation, World Championship medals, and international podium success, while consistently inspiring young people to pursue excellence with integrity, discipline, respect, and confidence. His philosophy is grounded in the belief that sport is a powerful educational tool—one that shapes character, builds resilience, and prepares students for lifelong success both on and off the piste.
He is also a devoted family man, deeply grateful for his wonderful wife, sons, and daughter, whose support, values, and encouragement are an essential part of his life, his work, and the principles he shares with his students.