Historic Victory for Lauren Scruggs at 2024 Paris Olympics: First Black American Woman to Win Individual Fencing Medal
In a momentous achievement for the United States, Lauren Scruggs etched her name into the history books at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Scruggs, a 21-year-old New York City native and rising senior at Harvard, became the first Black American woman to win an individual fencing medal.
The journey to this historic accomplishment began on Thursday when Scruggs played a pivotal role in securing the United States' first gold medal in team foil—men's or women's—in Olympic history. In a nail-biting final, she held off a fierce rally from Italian fencer Arianna Errigo, clinching a 45–39 victory. Following her win, Scruggs exuberantly celebrated, acknowledging Errigo before jubilantly shouting "USA! Let's go!" into the NBC cameras, a moment that resonated with millions of fans watching from home.
Scruggs's gold medal came alongside her teammates Lee Kiefer, Jacqueline Dubrovich, and alternate Maia Weintraub, who was substituted into the final and performed admirably, winning her two matchups 11–5.
However, Scruggs's historic journey did not end there. On Sunday, she made further headlines by claiming the silver medal in women's individual foil fencing, thus becoming the first Black American woman to achieve such a feat. She faced her American teammate Lee Kiefer in the final, who went on to secure her third Olympic gold medal with a 15-6 victory. This event also marked the first time that American women won both gold and silver Olympic medals in individual foil fencing.
Reflecting on her journey, Scruggs expressed her astonishment and pride. "I thought I was dreaming," she told ABC News. "I never expected to make it that far."
Beyond her Olympic achievements, Scruggs has an impressive resume in collegiate fencing, having earned First Team All-American honors. She is also a dedicated mentor with the Peter Westbrook Foundation, an organization that introduces fencing to underserved communities. The foundation's founder, Peter Westbrook, a legend in American fencing, won a bronze medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics and competed in four other Games. Although Westbrook could not attend the Paris Olympics due to a medical illness, Scruggs credits him for significantly influencing her career. "I think he's a big reason why I am where I am today," she said.
Scruggs hopes that her success will inspire greater Black participation in the sport. "I think my success in fencing has helped break stereotypes about what Black people can do and who can be a fencer," she remarked.
As she prepares to enter her senior year at Harvard, Lauren Scruggs continues to shine as a beacon of inspiration and a trailblazer in the world of fencing. Her historic achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympics not only mark a significant milestone in her career but also pave the way for future generations of diverse athletes in the sport.
