Olga Kharlan
Olga Kharlan, a Ukrainian fencer who was controversially booted from the world championships for not shaking hands with a Russian opponent, said on Thursday: “We will never shake hands with them”.
Kharlan, 32, said the director of the sport’s federation gave her permission to snub Russian rival Anna Smirnova, despite the gesture being a major component of post-bout rituals.
“My message today is that we Ukrainian athletes are ready to face Russians on the sports field but we will never shake hands with them”, the four-time world champion told the media.
Following her triumph, she stated that Emmanuel Katsiadakis, the Greek president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), had even told her that it was possible not to shake hands and instead provide a touch of her blade.
“I thought I had his word, to be safe, but apparently, no”, Kharlan said of Katsiadakis, who took over as president of the regulatory council after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Kharlan further said, “This federation will never change. In any case, I don’t know if I will still be alive if that ends up happening”.
“I hope the fencing world understands. Not just that something is wrong but that something has to be done to change it. Because guys today it’s me, tomorrow it could be you”, Kharlan added.
Kharlan’s disqualification will also keep her from competing in the team event at the world championships, which also serve as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics in Paris.
She stressed, though, that she has no regrets about winning Olympic gold in the team’s event in Beijing in 2008.
“All I know is that I really made the right decision”, Kharlan stated.
“My country and my family are more important than medals”, she continued.
“My phone is ringing nonstop. I’ve had so much support… from the government, from athletes, from celebrities, and also from soldiers on the front lines”, she noted.
“A helicopter pilot told me he sent a video to tell me that he was proud of me. It brings me to tears because I am very grateful to them”, she added.
“And if they are proud of me, it’s because I did something that made me happy”, she remarked.
