Listen to Fox News Articles: U.S. Olympic Fencers File Class-Action Lawsuit Against USA Fencing
In a groundbreaking move, U.S. Olympic fencer Margherita Guzzi Vincenti, along with fellow athletes Emma Griffin and Patricia Hughes, has initiated a class-action lawsuit against USA Fencing following an incident at the 2025 North American Cup (NAC) held in Kansas City, Missouri, in January. The lawsuit claims that USA Fencing knowingly allowed biological males to compete in women’s divisions while advertising these events as female-only, including competitions for athletes under 18.
The plaintiffs argue that USA Fencing’s youth and cadet policy, which permits self-identification "without restriction" and lacks a verification process, allowed biological males under 16 to participate in women’s events. "Because of this policy, biological males were permitted to compete in the women’s category, raising substantial concerns about fairness and safety," the lawsuit states.
The complaint further contends that USA Fencing does not inform members or participants about the presence of transgender or non-binary athletes in events. This lack of transparency hampers female athletes and their families from making informed decisions about participation. Additionally, it is alleged that USA Fencing failed to enforce its previous policy requiring male competitors to undergo a year of testosterone suppression treatment before participating in women’s events.
In a statement to Fox News Digital regarding the lawsuit, USA Fencing expressed strong disagreement with the allegations. "We are aware of the class-action complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri on October 29, and we will address these allegations through the legal process," the statement read.
Guzzi, who proudly represented Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, emphasized her commitment to protecting the integrity of fencing. "Fencing has been my life since childhood. I trained with the expectation that women’s competitions are exclusively for women. It’s about fairness and preserving opportunities for girls and women who dedicate their lives to competing on equal terms," she stated.
Hughes, a seasoned fencer with two decades of experience, echoed Guzzi’s sentiments, stressing the importance of fairness in women’s sports: "I’ve witnessed the growth of women’s fencing, and it’s crucial that we maintain a level playing field for future generations."
Griffin, a standout NCAA competitor, called for transparency and honesty from governing bodies. "We invest time, money, and effort into our sport. We deserve clarity regarding the rules and assurance that women’s events are genuinely for women," she asserted.
The lawsuit argues that USA Fencing is classified as an educational institution under Title IX, alleging violations by allowing biological males to compete in the girls’ and women’s categories. The plaintiffs claim that USA Fencing categorized itself as an educational service organization in its 2020 and 2021 applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, which were funded by taxpayer dollars.
Represented by Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young PLLC and The Dhillon Law Group, the plaintiffs are fighting for equal opportunities in women’s sports. Attorney Karin Sweigart of The Dhillon Law Group stated, "Our clients seek fairness and integrity in women’s sports, not special treatment. Title IX was designed to ensure equal athletic opportunities for women."
Attorney Charles Wang added, "Allowing biological men to compete in women’s events undermines the very foundation of Title IX, depriving women of the sport they fought hard to establish."
Former USA Fencing board chair Damien Lehfeldt is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Fox News Digital has reached out for comment but has not received a response. Lehfeldt recently decided not to seek re-election, citing "lawsuits" and "death threats" as factors contributing to his decision.
This controversy traces back to April when fencer Stephanie Turner became a focal point of discussion after she protested against a transgender competitor and was subsequently disqualified. This incident led to a federal subpoena for Lehfeldt to address the organization’s policies regarding transgender athletes.
In response to ongoing scrutiny, USA Fencing revised its transgender participation policy in July, limiting participation in women’s categories to only those who meet specific criteria set by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
Stay updated with Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for the latest developments. Jackson Thompson, a sports writer for Fox News Digital, has extensive experience covering major sporting events and interviewing iconic athletes.
