Scruggs, 21, became the first Black American woman and the first Black out lesbian to win an individual fencing medal.
Lauren Scruggs, a 21-year-old fencer from Queens, New York, etched her name into Olympic history at the Paris Olympics by claiming the silver medal in women’s foil fencing. In doing so, she became the first Black American woman and the first Black out lesbian to win an individual fencing medal.
Scruggs reflected on her groundbreaking achievement, describing it as “surreal” and expressing hope that her success will inspire greater diversity in the sport. “You get more diverse people getting into fencing when they see people like them,” she told NBC News. “I hope to be an example of who can fence. Hopefully, people like me who identify similarly feel that this sport is the place for them.”
The final match saw her teammate, Lee Kiefer, triumph with a 15-6 victory, securing her second consecutive gold medal in the event. Scruggs’ journey to the Olympics began under the mentorship of Peter Westbrook, the first Black man from the U.S. to win an Olympic medal in fencing, through his foundation aimed at supporting underrepresented youth in the sport.
Aside from her historic win, Scruggs cherished the camaraderie and the unique experience of the Olympic Village. She shared her excitement about mingling with renowned athletes like Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, and Coco Gauff, stating, “It’s just crazy to always be surrounded by such amazing athletes and that just to be the norm. And I guess I am one of those amazing athletes,” she added with a laugh.
Scruggs’ love for fencing began at age six, inspired by her older brother, Nolen. She was drawn to the mental challenge and the unique nature of the sport. “It’s very mentally stimulating,” she said. “It’s a combat sport, so I think it’s unique in the sense that you get to fight someone, but it’s also you’re not really fighting them, like with boxing.”
Growing up in a sport with little diversity, Scruggs faced challenges related to her race more than her sexual orientation. “I just felt like no one was really on my side at tournaments, even from a young age,” she recounted. “So that kind of pushed me to fight more at the tournaments and prove that I really belonged.”
As a rising senior at Harvard University studying philosophy, Scruggs balances her academic pursuits with her athletic career. She met her girlfriend, Chelsea, through a friend during her freshman year, and often shares photos of their life together on social media. Although she usually attends New York City’s LGBTQ Pride march every June, this year she missed it due to a fencing tournament. “But we won the tournament,” she quipped. “So I guess that counts as a celebration.”
Scruggs’ Olympic achievement also marks her as the second LGBTQ person to medal in women’s fencing, following French fencer Astrid Guyart’s silver in the team foil at the Tokyo Olympics. Cyd Zeigler, co-founder of LGBTQ sports website Outsports, highlighted the significance of Scruggs’ win. “That two Black gay women won the first Paris Olympics medals for Team LGBTQ is a powerful sign of our times,” he said. “For Lauren to do that in a sport like fencing, where Black athletes have not been particularly visible over the years, makes the incredible accomplishment of her and judoka Amandine particularly special.”
With at least 193 out LGBTQ athletes competing in the 2024 Summer Games, the representation surpasses the previous record set by the Tokyo Olympics, showcasing the growing visibility and inclusion in sports.
