American Lauren Scruggs made history at the Paris Olympics by winning the silver medal in women’s foil fencing, becoming the first Black American woman and the first Black out lesbian to win an individual fencing medal. Scruggs hopes her achievement will inspire more diverse individuals to take up the sport. She was trained by Peter Westbrook and enjoyed the competition in the Olympic Village. Despite facing pushback related to her race, Scruggs persevered and found support from close friends. She is a rising senior at Harvard University studying philosophy and plans to work in finance. Scruggs met her girlfriend, Chelsea, during her freshman year and usually attends NYC’s LGBTQ Pride march. Scruggs is the second LGBTQ person to medal in a women’s fencing event, following French fencer Astrid Guyart. In total, at least 193 out LGBTQ athletes are competing in the 2024 Summer Games, breaking the previous record from the Tokyo Olympics. Scruggs and judoka Amandine Buchard’s achievements as LGBTQ athletes are seen as particularly significant.
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Lauren Scruggs of Team USA wins silver in fencing, making Olympic history
