For Queens native Lauren Scruggs, it was a golden day.
The Olympic fencer helped the U.S. women’s fencing team win the gold medal, defeating Italy 45-39, marking the first time a U.S. team, men’s or women’s, has won a gold medal in the sport.
The win added to an already impressive Olympic record for the 21-year-old Harvard University student, who also made Olympic history by winning the silver medal in women’s foil fencing, becoming the first Black athlete to medal for the United States in an individual event.
Scruggs won the gold medal for the U.S. team, becoming the first gold medalist in the history of the Harvard University fencing program.
Thursday’s feat marked revenge for the United States, who lost to Italy in the bronze medal game at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
Thanks to Scruggs and teammate Lee Kiefer, who beat the Queens native to win gold in the individual foil on Sunday, the U.S. jumped out to an early 10-5 lead against a talented Italian team.
Scruggs then led Italy on a late surge, scoring the final three points to give the USA the gold medal win.
“I didn’t want to be that guy that gets a big lead and then loses,” Scruggs told The Associated Press. “I thought, ‘Oh man, I can’t lose for my pride.’ That’s what kept me going and got me back up.”
In victory, Scruggs flicked off his mask and raised his hands in celebration. The Olympian then ran toward the cameras and yelled, “Let’s go, USA!” Team USA staff then began handing out American flags to the players, who continued celebrating.
This year’s Summer Olympics in Paris was Scruggs’ first time competing, but the 21-year-old already had an impressive collegiate resume, having been named first team All-American as a sophomore and first team All-Ivy League as a freshman.
Scruggs said last week that growing up in a “cute” environment in New York helped him get to where he is today.
2024 Paris Olympics
“I grew up in New York my whole life and it can be tough at times,” Scruggs told Reuters. “I was raised with a headstrong personality and I think that energy and toughness comes through in terms of how it reflects in my fencing.”
Scruggs expressed hope that her success at this year’s Olympics would inspire others to take up the sport and increase diversity among competitors, and with her Olympic silver medal, Scruggs became the first black lesbian to win a medal in fencing.
“Seeing people who look like me encourages more diverse people to take up fencing,” she told NBC News this week. “I want to be an example of who can fence, and hopefully people who are like me will see that this sport is the place for them.”
