Lauren Scruggs made U.S. Olympic history by winning silver in women’s individual foil fencing, but just the experience of competing on the big stage in Paris left her in awe.
Scruggs, 21, reflected on TODAY on July 29 about capturing her first Olympic medal a day earlier in front of a roaring crowd of 6,000 under the vaulted dome at the venerable Grand Palais, an iconic 127-year-old venue.
“It’s just unbelievable,” Scruggs said. “Seeing my family in the stands and being able to fence in front of all those people in Paris in that great building was just insane to me. Just to have the medal over me and feel the weight was heavy, was unbelievable.”
Scruggs became the first Black American woman to win an individual medal in fencing as Team USA took the top two spots. Defending Olympic champion Lee Kiefer, 30, won her second gold medal by defeating Scruggs 15-6 in the final.
“It was shocking for me to be here in the first place. I don’t even think I’ve had time to process that,” Scruggs told the Team USA website. “I’m just super grateful to be able to fence in front of such a big crowd and in such a beautiful space.”
It also marked the first time American women have finished 1-2 in the Olympics in individual foil fencing. Scruggs is hoping her performance might inspire other girls who look like her to give it a try.
“In certain communities, fencing is just not a sport you do,” Scruggs told NBC News after the final. “So I would say to those people, who are in those communities and who are interested in fencing: Do what you want to do … and follow your passion.”
Scruggs is also an accomplished student who is heading into her senior year at Harvard University, which produced several fencers on Team USA this year. The native of Queens, New York, also worked this summer as a full-time intern in wealth management, according to NBC News.
Scruggs’ achievement is also a proud moment for Peter Westbrook, who became the first Black American to win an Olympic medal in fencing in 1984. He has served as a mentor for Scruggs, but was not able to make it to Paris because he’s being treated for Stage 4 liver cancer, according to The Washington Post.
He believes Scruggs’ journey will inspire other young girls of color.
“They tried fencing because of me,” Westbrook told The Washington Post, referring to Black American men. “They’re going to try fencing because of Lauren.
SOURCE: today.com