Paris, France — August 1, 2024 — Lee Kiefer etched her name into Olympic history on Thursday by becoming the first American fencer to win three Olympic gold medals. Kiefer’s extraordinary achievement came as the U.S. women’s foil team captured their first-ever team gold at the Paris Olympics.
Historic Victory for Team USA
The U.S. women’s foil team, which included Kiefer, Lauren Scruggs, Jacqueline Dubrovich, and Maia Weintraub, delivered a remarkable performance in the final, securing a 45-39 victory over Italy. This win not only marked Kiefer’s third gold medal but also represented a historic moment for American fencing.
Scruggs played a pivotal role in the final, facing a formidable challenge from Italy’s Arianna Errigo. Despite Italy’s late rally, which saw them close an eight-point deficit to just three, Scruggs clinched the final points needed to secure the victory. Her decisive contribution was celebrated with a triumphant shout, reflecting the intense emotions of the match.
Weintraub, the team’s alternate, was brought into the final and showed impressive poise against Errigo, a seasoned competitor and 2012 gold medalist. Weintraub’s performance was crucial, as she secured a 6-4 score against Errigo and contributed an overall 11-5 from her two matchups, proving her readiness and skill.
Kiefer’s Path to Gold
Lee Kiefer’s journey to her third gold medal was marked by resilience and excellence. In the semi-final against Canada, Kiefer turned the tide with an outstanding individual performance. She went 23-12 across her three matchups, including a remarkable 13-4 win against 16-year-old Yunjia Zhang. This comeback helped propel the U.S. to a 45-39 victory, setting the stage for their historic final.
Kiefer’s gold medal achievement adds to her illustrious fencing career, which already includes individual gold medals from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her continued dominance in the sport underscores her exceptional talent and dedication.
Milestone for American Fencing
The U.S. fencing team’s victory in the women’s foil represents a significant milestone in American fencing history. This is the first time the U.S. has won two gold medals in fencing at the same Olympics, and it is the first-ever team gold for the U.S. in this discipline.
Prior to this, American fencer Albertson Van Zo Post had won two gold medals at the 1904 St. Louis Games. However, one of these medals was in a team event that included Cuban fencers, leading to its classification as a “mixed team” win rather than a U.S. gold.
Looking Ahead
With four fencing medals at the Paris Olympics, including two golds, the U.S. team has demonstrated their strength and depth in the sport. As the Games continue, the achievements of Kiefer and her teammates will undoubtedly inspire future generations of fencers and contribute to the growing prominence of American fencing on the global stage.
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