VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Lee Kiefer On Defending Her Gold Medal In Paris

U.S. Olympic gold medalist Lee Kiefer defended her title in fencing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday night – winning a second gold for herself in consecutive summer games. Kiefer won gold in the women’s foil at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In May, Kiefer spoke to uInterview about defending her medal: “There’s going to be a lot of hype around fencing. France loves fencing. It’s a very historical sport there. I’m the reigning Olympic champion, so I don’t know if people are going to be cheering against me or for me. But I’m going to go out there and just try to give my best fencing.”

The 30-year-old Kiefer, who has been a dominant force in women’s foil fencing, has spent the past few years honing her skills and preparing for the next Olympic challenge. Her victory in Tokyo was achieved in a unique environment, with the Games held without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on her journey to the Paris Olympics, Kiefer noted the challenges and emotional impact of competing without the usual support from friends and family. “In Tokyo, although there were no fans, I thought I was able to really focus and get ready for my performance,” she said. “But I missed out on having friends and family to share it with. For this Games, I want to zone in and do my best for them.”

Kiefer, who started fencing at the age of 10, has consistently demonstrated her exceptional skill and dedication to the sport. She became the first American to win a gold medal in women’s foil at the Olympics, and her impressive resume includes multiple World Championship titles and NCAA championships during her collegiate career.

Kiefer noted the dual goals of excelling in competition and savoring the experience. “Each Games has its own flavor, and at the end of the day, I just want to enjoy the journey,” she added.