USA Fencing faces potential loss of its governing body status as board members wage legal war against their chair for allegedly lying to Congress about transgender athletes during a critical hearing.
Key Takeaways
- Two USA Fencing board members, Andrey Geva and Abdel Salem, are suing their fellow directors, seeking to remove chair Damien Lehfeldt for allegedly making false statements at a Congressional hearing on transgender athletes.
- The lawsuit claims Lehfeldt misrepresented USA Fencing’s positions during a May 7 hearing that addressed a protest by female fencer Stephanie Turner against competing against a transgender opponent.
- Plaintiffs allege Lehfeldt’s actions have alienated the fencing community and risked USA Fencing’s status as the sport’s national governing body.
- The organization has faced criticism for altering policies regarding competition host sites, allegedly favoring states with pro-LGBTQ stances, and falsifying board resignation records.
Fencing Board Members Turn Swords on Each Other in Trans Athlete Dispute
The USA Fencing organization has been thrust into turmoil as two board members file a lawsuit against their colleagues, highlighting deep divisions over transgender participation in women’s sports. The legal action, initiated by former U.S. National Coach Andrey Geva and former Olympic fencer Abdel Salem, specifically targets board chair Damien Lehfeldt, accusing him of making false statements during a Congressional hearing about transgender athletes in May. This internal conflict threatens the organization’s standing as the sport’s national governing body at a critical time for American fencing.
The lawsuit stems from a May 7 Congressional hearing that addressed a protest by women’s fencer Stephanie Turner, who objected to competing against a transgender opponent. According to court documents, Lehfeldt allegedly misrepresented USA Fencing’s positions and policies during his testimony, creating potential legal jeopardy for the organization. Both plaintiffs have impressive credentials in the sport – Geva served as a former U.S. National Coach while Salem competed as an Olympic fencer and later became a coach, lending significant weight to their allegations.
Intimidation Tactics and Controversial Testimony
Court filings reveal that Geva claims he faced threats designed to prevent him from speaking at the Congressional hearing. Despite these alleged intimidation attempts, Geva submitted a letter to Senator Ted Cruz outlining his concerns about transgender athletes having competitive advantages in women’s fencing. The letter explicitly stated: “‘Transgender women’s fencers have significant advantages in women’s competitions,’ he writes,” said Marjorie Taylor-Greene, Representative.
Adding to the controversy, Lehfeldt reportedly admitted to falsifying an email and making inappropriate social media posts prior to the hearing. When questioned about certain statements, Lehfeldt dismissed them as “a poor attempt at humor.” However, his testimony regarding transgender participation reflected a permissive stance: “As long as the competitor has met all the hormonal requirements and complies with the policy, I would be okay with it,” said Lehfeldt, during the hearing.
Policy Changes and Olympic Implications
The lawsuit further alleges that USA Fencing’s board has implemented controversial policy changes under Lehfeldt’s leadership. These include amendments to policies regarding competition host sites and the national anthem, which critics claim were designed to favor states with pro-LGBTQ stances. Such policy shifts have reportedly created divisions within the American fencing community at a time when unity is crucial for Olympic success. The plaintiffs argue that Lehfeldt’s statements and actions have alienated many members and potentially jeopardized Team USA’s Olympic qualification efforts.
USA Fencing has acknowledged the lawsuit while indicating it will defend itself in court. The organization continues to face scrutiny following Turner’s protest and the controversial Congressional testimony. Stephanie Turner herself has called for leadership changes within USA Fencing, adding her voice to the growing chorus of critics who believe the current leadership has failed to uphold the organization’s core values and responsibilities. “As this legal battle unfolds, the future governance of American fencing hangs in the balance,” stated Transgender women.
