USA Fencing Chair Damien Lehfeldt faces removal after allegedly making false statements during a congressional hearing on transgender athletes, potentially jeopardizing the organization’s status as a national governing body.
Key Takeaways
- Two USA Fencing board members, Andrey Geva and Abdel Salem, have filed a lawsuit against the other six at-large directors, seeking to remove chair Damien Lehfeldt.
- The lawsuit alleges Lehfeldt made false statements during a May 7 congressional hearing on transgender athletes in fencing, risking USA Fencing’s status as a national governing body.
- Plaintiff Andrey Geva claims he faced threats intended to prevent him from testifying about transgender athletes’ advantages in women’s competitions.
- The controversy stems from female fencer Stephanie Turner’s protest against competing with a transgender opponent.
- USA Fencing has acknowledged the lawsuit and stated it will defend itself in court while continuing its mission.
Board Members Challenge Leadership Over Transgender Athlete Testimony
The integrity of USA Fencing’s leadership faces a serious challenge as board members Andrey Geva and Abdel Salem have initiated legal action against their colleagues. The lawsuit specifically targets chair Damien Lehfeldt, accusing him of making false statements during a critical congressional hearing about transgender athletes in fencing competitions. This internal conflict highlights growing tensions within the organization regarding its policies on transgender participation and raises questions about potential damage to USA Fencing’s status as the sport’s national governing body, a designation essential for Olympic participation and federal funding.
“‘Transgender women’s fencers have significant advantages in women’s competitions,’ he writes,” – Marjorie Taylor-Greene
Both plaintiffs bring substantial credibility to their challenge. Geva previously served as the U.S. National Coach while Salem has competed as an Olympic fencer and coach. Their lawsuit stems from the May 7 congressional hearing, which was convened in response to female fencer Stephanie Turner’s protest against competing with a transgender opponent. According to court documents, Lehfeldt’s testimony at this hearing contained numerous false statements that have alienated much of the fencing community and potentially endangered Team USA’s Olympic qualification prospects.
Intimidation Claims and Policy Concerns
Geva’s allegations extend beyond Lehfeldt’s testimony. The former national coach claims he faced direct threats intended to silence him before the congressional hearing, where he had planned to discuss the biological advantages transgender athletes maintain in women’s competitions. Despite these alleged intimidation tactics, Geva submitted a letter to Senator Ted Cruz outlining his concerns. The lawsuit further alleges that Lehfeldt admitted to falsifying an email and posting inappropriate content on social media prior to his testimony, raising serious questions about his fitness to lead the organization.
“It was a poor attempt at humor,” stated Lehfeldt
In his congressional testimony, Lehfeldt appeared to downplay concerns about biological males competing in women’s fencing, stating: “As long as the competitor has met all the hormonal requirements and complies with the policy, I would be okay with it.” This stance directly contradicts the position taken by many female fencers, including Turner, who has called for leadership changes within the organization. The lawsuit also alleges that USA Fencing has shown bias by implementing policies favoring competitions in LGBTQ-friendly regions while discouraging events in areas with laws protecting women’s sports.
Organization’s Response and Broader Implications
USA Fencing has acknowledged the lawsuit and indicated it will mount a defense in court. According to their statement, the organization remains committed to its core mission of growing the sport and supporting its community members. However, the internal strife comes at a particularly sensitive time for the organization, which has faced increasing scrutiny following Turner’s protest and Lehfeldt’s controversial testimony. The board has recently amended several policies, including those regarding competition host sites and the playing of the national anthem, suggesting attempts to address mounting criticism.
The lawsuit represents more than just an internal power struggle; it highlights the broader national debate over transgender participation in women’s sports. With Olympic preparations underway and increasing public attention on women’s sports protections, the outcome of this legal challenge could have far-reaching implications for fencing governance and potentially influence how other sports organizations approach similar issues. Should the plaintiffs succeed in removing Lehfeldt, it would signal a significant shift in the organization’s approach to transgender athlete policies.
