US Olympian's lawsuit against USA Fencing for alleged trans athlete in women's competition is dismissedhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/us-olympian-s-lawsuit-against-usa-fencing-for-alleged-trans-athlete-in-women-s-competition-is-dismissed/ar-AA247PlM?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=0cbf07040e264ecdbbd9852aaf5eba31&ei=21 🔗 [Link: msn.com/en-us/sports/other/us-olympian-s-lawsuit-against-usa-fencing-for-alleged-trans-athlete-in-women-s-competition-is-dismissed/ar-AA247PlM/]Jackson Thompson (26 May 2026)
A federal judge dismissed a Title IX lawsuit brought by a U.S. Olympian against USA Fencing over alleged transgender competitors at a past women's competition.
Missouri District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan Jr., appointed by George H.W. Bush in 1991, dismissed the lawsuit led by former U.S. Olympic fencer Margherita Guzzi Vincenti without prejudice. The lawsuit was filed in October and alleged biological males were allowed to compete in women's and girls' competitions at the 2025 North American Cup (NAC) in Kansas City, Missouri last January.
Guzzi was joined by competitive women's fencers Emma Griffin and Patricia Hughes. They originally alleged USA Fencing knowingly permitted biological males to compete in women's divisions while advertising events as female-only, including in competitions involving athletes under the age of 18.
However, the court ruled the plaintiffs failed to state a valid Title IX claim because they did not adequately allege that they were excluded from participation, denied benefits, treated adversely because of sex, or even that they competed against transgender athletes.
"Plaintiffs have failed to allege that they were excluded from or denied the benefits of the competition because of their gender. Plaintiffs have not even alleged facts supporting that they competed against transgender athletes. Plaintiffs have not pled that they were treated adversely because of their gender," read the judge's decision.
"Plaintiffs allege that they were treated differently because of their gender but have not alleged from whom they were treated differently or in what way. Plaintiffs have failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted."
