French connection: Spencer Lee competes in Olympics in his mother’s home country

Spencer Lee’s wrestling career will forever be tied to Paris, making his Olympic debut there.

His family roots have been embedded in France for a long time. Lee’s mother, Cathy, is a native of the country where many of his maternal relatives still reside.

“I think I was happier for my family than I was like actually winning,” Lee said. “I was really excited. It’s in France. I’m French. Half of my family lives in France.”

The former University of Iowa three-time NCAA champion will finally get to wrestle live in front of his maternal grandmother when he begins his Olympic quest against No. 6 China’s Wahnhao Zao in the 125.5-pound bracket of men’s freestyle Thursday.

“She’s never watched me (in person),” Lee said. “It will be the first time watching her grandson at the Olympic Games.”

The foundation of the Lee family was formed in France. Cathy Lee was an aspiring Judo athlete when her future husband, Larry, attended a training camp in France. Cathy challenged Larry to a fight during training. Larry stayed longer than expected. They eventually got married and Spencer and twin sister, Gaby, were born.

“My mom was really excited because it’s a good excuse to get the whole family together,” Spencer said. “I haven’t done that since I was like 13 years old.

“For me, it was like now we get to have some fun in my mother’s home country.”

Lee worked out in the Hawkeyes’ new Goschke Family Wrestling Training Center except for about nine days at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was able to display his knowledge of the language when the French Union of Wrestling Federations President came to visit the home of USA Wrestling. Lee conversed with the international guests and helped with translating.

  Buy Photo

“I think they were impressed,” Lee said. “I had a nice two-hour conversation with the French delegation. I’m not super good at French. I understand really well but I don’t have a lot of (vocabulary) just because I haven’t spoken French since I was like 6. It comes back pretty quick.”

Lee’s family lives about six hours away from Paris. He knows the hosts are accustomed to tourists but expects grander displays for the Olympic guests.

“The place is wild,” Lee said. “It’s very different than the rest of France. I’m excited to see what they do for tourists.

“I know they’re used to tourists but this is the Olympics. They want to look good.”

Lee accompanied Hawkeye Wrestling Club Coach and 2016 Olympian Daniel Dennis to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They didn’t train on-site and he wasn’t allowed to enter the Olympic Village. He said he is looking forward to being around all the other athletes.

Cathy was an Olympic alternate in Judo, while Larry served as an U.S. Olympic Judo team coach. Iowa Coaches Tom and Terry Brands were also Olympians. They have emphasized to focus on himself and the immediate task. There is a way to do that and still enjoy the surroundings.

“Distractions aside, you’ve got to take it in and enjoy it,” Lee said. “it’d be a lie to say you’re not going to be there and experience it. If you try to ignore it, I don’t think that works. I think you have to take it in and run.”

Tom Brands said he hasn’t shared much of his experiences from his gold medal performance at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. This is a new opportunity as the 20 th Hawkeye to wrestle in the Olympics, looking to provide a medal in the second straight Olympics. Thomas Gilman, who Lee beat in the finals of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, won bronze in 2021 in Tokyo.

“We want to duplicate and exceed,” Tom Brands said. “The future is upon us. Let’s go do our job at a high level.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com