USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Laura Decker was walking her dog, Jagger, when she got the news every fencing referee dreams to one day receive. 

The talented saber and foil official got the message saying she’d been selected to referee fencing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“It was such a big relief to finally know,” Decker says, “but I do think Jagger was confused why we were standing still for so long as I refreshed the announcement page multiple times to make sure it was real.”

Only the finest fencing referees are chosen by the FIE (International Fencing Federation) to referee at an international tournament like a World Cup, Grand Prix or Fencing World Championship. And from that elite group, only 40 were selected to work in Paris next summer. 

Decker, 34, is the lone representative from the United States of America chosen to referee at the Olympics. Most countries only have one referee selected, with three exceptions: Italy and Hungary have two referees each, while host country France has eight.

Decker’s selection for the Olympics was no foregone conclusion, but close observers of the sport might have predicted it. She was the lone American referee at the 2022 Junior and Cadet Worlds in Dubai, the 2022 Senior Worlds in Egypt, the 2023 Junior and Cadet Worlds in Bulgaria and the 2023 Senior Worlds in Italy.

“I’m proud of the work I've done over the past several years and incredibly honored to be selected to referee at the highest level of this sport,” Decker says. “Refereeing is demanding and often stressful, but I find it so fulfilling to contribute to the sport I love.”

The list of Olympic referees, seen below, includes 26 referees across the three weapons, plus two reserve referees per weapon and eight host country referees.

On the Paralympic side, as we shared last month, the United States had three referees selected: Jelena Zeljkovic, Leo Curtis and Sean Shumate

Decker’s selection continues a proud tradition of great referees from the United States selected to work at the Olympics and Paralympics. 

At the Tokyo Games in 2021, Kelly Koehler refereed the Olympics, while Sean Shumate, Jon Moss and Paul Harris worked the Paralympics. And in Rio in 2016, Douglas Findlay was the Olympics referee from the United States, while Shumate represented the Stars and Stripes at the Paralympics.

Decker says she’s proud to continue the legacy of these great referees — many of whom she considers personal mentors and role models.

“There are countless people who have helped me become the referee I am today,” she says. “I’d like to thank all of them, in particular Doug Findlay and George Kolombatovich. Both of them helped me through difficult points of my career and encouraged me to stay true to myself and the work.”

Decker is also grateful for her club, Sheridan Fencing Academy of New York.

“International refereeing requires a ton of travel, and the club supported me through it all,” Decker says. “I’d also like to thank all of the Team USA coaches and athletes who have provided me with endless support from when I first started participating in international competitions.” 

With 233 days until the start of fencing competition in Paris, Decker has some time to get ready — and she plans to use it wisely.

“Like all the athletes, referees have to be fit and ready for their events,” she says. “I plan to work as much as possible over the next several months. I'm very excited to have the chance to have a front-row seat for what will surely be some amazing bouts.”

Decker won’t be the only American working at the fencing competition in Paris. Jennifer Yamin was named a member of the DT (Directoire Technique), while Jeremy Summers was selected as a medical delegate.

• 2024 Olympic Games, Paris
  • Laura Decker
• 2024 Paralympic Games, Paris
  • Leo Curtis
  • Sean Shumate
  • Jelena Zeljkovic
• 2020 Olympic Games, Tokyo
  • Kelly Koehler
• 2020 Paralympic Games, Tokyo
  • Sean Shumate
  • Jon Moss
  • Paul Harris
• 2016 Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro
  • Douglas Findlay
• 2016 Paralympic Games, Rio de Janeiro
  • Sean Shumate
• 2012 Olympic Games, London
  • Douglas Findlay
• 2012 Paralympic Games, London
  • Jon Moss
  • Sean Shumate
• 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing
  • Douglas Findlay
• 2008 Paralympic Games, Beijing
  • Jon Moss
• 2004 Olympic Games, Athens
  • Derek Cotton
  • George Kolombatovich
  • Sam Cheris
• 2004 Paralympic Games, Athens
  • Sharon Everson
  • Jon Moss
  • George Kolombatovich
• 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney
  • Derek Cotton
• 2000 Paralympic Games, Sydney
  • Sharon Everson
  • Jon Moss
  • George Kolombatovich
• 1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta
  • Gerrie Baumgart
  • Jeffery Bukantz
  • Emmanuil Kaidanov
  • George Kolombatovich
  • Marcos Lucchetti
  • Atilio Tass
  • Russell Wilson
• 1996 Paralympic Games, Atlanta
  • Gerrie Baumgart
  • Luis Casado
  • Derek Cotton
  • Sharon Everson
  • Ann Ezzell
  • Vladimir Lilov
  • David Micahnik
  • Jon Moss
  • Atilio Tass
• 1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona
  • George Kolombatovich
  • Ralph Zimmerman
• 1988 Olympic Games, Seoul
  • Russell Wilson
• 1984 Olympic Games, Los Angeles
  • Jeffrey Bukantz
  • Ralph Zimmerman
  • George Kolombatovich
  • Russell Wilson
  • Robert Blum