Two American women squared up for a sword fight in the palace at dusk, both emerging with Olympic medals. The Grand Palais in Paris was the stage for the women’s foil fencing matchup between Lee Kiefer, 30, and Lauren Scruggs, 21, marking the first all-American fencing final since Beijing 2008.
Kiefer, the defending champion and pre-tournament favorite, won 15-6 to retain the gold medal. “There’s a million different obstacles that happened to make it to this point,” she said. “So getting through all these things that you can’t even predict is just freaking cool and fun.”
Scruggs’ silver medal makes her the first Black American woman to win an individual fencing medal and the second out LGBTQ athlete to get on the podium at these Games. “In certain communities, fencing is just not a sport you do,” she told NBC News. “So I would say to those people, who are in those communities and who are interested in fencing: Do what you want to do … and follow your passion.” She added at a news conference that she hoped “more people who look like me feel as though they have a place in the sport.” When asked how it would feel if young Black girls were watching her Sunday night, she responded: “It would be sick.”
Kiefer’s gold means she joins Mariel Zagunis as the only women to win multiple fencing gold medals. It’s the first time since 2008 that two Americans were in a fencing final.
For Scruggs, history was made when she beat bronze medalist Eleanor Harvey of Canada in a semifinal. Nine years Kiefer’s junior, Scruggs is a rising senior at Harvard University and a full-time wealth management intern this summer. She got into fencing following her older brother’s example.
Both Kiefer and Scruggs have enjoyed their time in Paris. Kiefer went viral on TikTok trading pins with Steph Curry and A’ja Wilson during the opening ceremony. Scruggs was excited for the Olympic gear and sightseeing. “I am just super excited to be here,” she said. “It’s been an honor. It’s a privilege.
Link: NBCNews
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