RIO DE JANEIRO — American Ibtihaj Muhammad looked like all the other fencers when she stepped on the piste, save for the nondescript black scarf covering her head. With that small gesture, Muhammad ...

Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad poses for photos at the 2016 Olympic Team USA media summit Tuesday, March 8, 2016, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Muhammad would be the first American to compete in the Olympics ...

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 08: Ibtihaj Muhammad of the United States look dejected after defeat to Cecilia Berder of France during the Women’s Individual Sabre on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic ...

Ibtihaj Muhammad (United States) waits to compete against Olena Kravatska (Ukraine) in the women's sabre individual fencing match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 8, 2016. Ibtihaj ...