Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
EXCLUSIVE: Andrey Geva, the former head coach of the U.S. Olympic fencing team, has initiated a lawsuit against Damien Lehfeldt, the chair of USA Fencing. Geva charges that Lehfeldt made “false and misleading” statements during a congressional hearing on transgender athletes held on May 7.
This lawsuit, which Geva filed alongside fellow board member and former Egyptian Olympian Abdel Salem, seeks the removal of Lehfeldt as chair of USA Fencing. The legal action raises serious concerns about the governance of the organization amid ongoing debates over transgender participation in sports.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Geva detailed the allegations against Lehfeldt, focusing on statements made during the congressional hearing. According to Geva, Lehfeldt claimed that women possess inherent advantages in flexibility and agility, which has raised eyebrows among many in the fencing community.
Geva, who served as Team USA’s head fencing coach from 2013 to 2021, argues that Lehfeldt’s assertion is fundamentally incorrect. Under his leadership, the U.S. fencing team secured six Olympic medals, including a gold in women’s individual foil at the Tokyo Olympics. He stated, “This is simply not true, and this is what I told him many times, that I have an expertise as somebody who successfully coached both male and female fencers at the highest international level.”
Furthermore, Geva emphasized the differences in training approaches for male and female fencers. He noted, “I trained them differently. I have a different approach to male and female fencers because they are different.” This distinction raises pertinent questions regarding how transgender athletes fit into this dynamic.
In addressing another comment made by Lehfeldt, Geva labeled it “misleading.” The chair had referenced mixed-gender competitions and stated that men and women have safely competed against each other for decades. Geva countered this by asserting that such mixed-gender competitions are rare on the national level, saying, “It’s a misleading statement. Yes, at practice, men and women fence each other, no problem. However, there are zero mixed events on the national level.”
USA Fencing’s Response
USA Fencing issued a statement in response to Geva’s lawsuit, although it did not specifically address his recent comments. The organization asserted its commitment to serving its members, which include athletes, coaches, referees, and clubs, with transparency and integrity.
The statement read, “This derivative lawsuit misrepresents our organization, and we will vigorously defend the organization in court; any attempt to disparage us will be addressed appropriately.” The ongoing nature of the litigation has prevented the organization from providing further details.
USA Fencing claimed that habitat has created a growing environment for the sport. However, Geva highlights an alarming trend, suggesting that clubs are leaving USA Fencing in droves due to perceived injustices within its transgender athlete eligibility policy.
The Community’s Reaction
Geva revealed that several private clubs associated with USA Fencing have withdrawn their membership and migrated to the Amateur Athletic Union’s (AAU) Fencing League of America. He expressed the sentiment shared by many within the community, stating, “Because of the USA Fencing policies, some of the clubs have actually quit. I know quite a few clubs that quit membership in USA Fencing.” However, he refrained from naming specific clubs.
In contrast, an unnamed source from USA Fencing indicated that the organization has experienced significant growth recently. The source reported that the 2024-25 season is projected to conclude with over 43,000 members and nearly 750 clubs, both of which would represent record numbers.
Geva acknowledged that the organization is growing but suggested the reasons for this expansion are not solely positive. He said, “It’s very hard to judge if it’s growing because we’re doing an excellent job, or just because more and more people discover that fencing is the niche and the way to get to college.”
Heightened Controversy Amid National Scrutiny
The national scrutiny on USA Fencing intensified following a widely publicized incident involving women’s fencer Stephanie Turner. Turner kneeled in protest against a transgender opponent, leading to backlash and punishment from the organization. This event brought to light the complexities surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports and the division it has created within the fencing community.
During the May 7 hearing, Lehfeldt’s testimony exacerbated the criticism facing USA Fencing. He was subpoenaed to attend the hearing and made comments that did not sit well with many. Prior to the hearing, Lehfeldt faced backlash for his brash Instagram responses regarding the potential implications of his and the organization’s policies on female fencers.
One response, which went viral, included a one-word admission that he was “okay” with putting female fencers at a disadvantage. During the hearing, he acknowledged that his response needed a “more nuanced” explanation.
Moreover, Lehfeldt admitted to fabricating an email from a fictitious individual, which drawn ridicule and prompted further calls for his resignation from motivated stakeholders, including Geva.
Geva emphasized that this incident should lead to Lehfeldt’s resignation, stating, “This is more than enough. Any decent person in my opinion, after this fiasco at this congressional hearing, should resign. I believe under his leadership our federation is going just in the wrong direction.”
A Crossroads for USA Fencing
The path forward for USA Fencing is uncertain as the organization navigates the contentious waters of athlete eligibility policies concerning transgender participation. With ongoing litigation and rising tensions, the future of fencing as a whole hangs in the balance. Stakeholders must engage in productive dialogue to reach a consensus that respects the integrity of the sport while ensuring fair competition for all athletes.
