New York-born Morehouse (pictured above), who most recently finished eighth at London 2012, has fenced for the United States at three Olympic Games and was the country's number one men's saber fencer from 2008 to 2011.

Now Morehouse has been recognised for his work outside of sports competitions – as a Champion of Change, a US Administration programme that honours Americans working for the benefit of others.

While pursuing his Olympic dreams, Morehouse has also worked to promote fencing and establish programmes to attract new participants to the sport.

Tim Morehouse (left) competing against France's Julien Pillet in the Beijing 2008 sabre fencing gold medal match 

As a motivational speaker, Morehouse has spoken to over 30,000 children and young people in urban schools about his Olympic story.

He has also given presentations to Fortune 100 and 500 organizations.

In 2011, Morehouse founded the Fencing-in-the-Schools Foundation – a non-profit programme dedicated to help improve the health, academic performance and self-esteem of young people in disadvantaged communities throughout the US.

Morehouse receives his honour as an alumni leader of the AmeriCorps, a corporation for national and community service. 

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