Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan was awarded a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics by the IOC on Friday after she was disqualified at the world championships for refusing to shake the hand of her Russian opponent.

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) also said it was reinstating Kharlan, allowing her to take part in the team competition at the world championships in Milan.

Emmanuel Katsiadakis, the Greek president of the FIE, said the decision had been taken “after consultation with the International Olympic Committee”.

Kharlan, the first fencer to face a Russian or Belarusian since the former’s invasion of Ukraine, won 15-7 against Russia’s Anna Smirnova on Thursday.

The 32-year-old four-time Olympic medallist refused Smirnova’s handshake afterwards, instead offering her sabre to tap blades, but FIE rules state that the two fencers must shake hands.

Smirnova staged a 45-minute protest and refused to leave the competition strip.

Kharlan was disqualified, claiming afterwards that Emmanuel Katsiadakis, the Greek president of the FIE, had even assured her that it was “possible” not to shake hands and offer a touch of her blade instead following her victory.

“I thought I had his word, to be safe, but apparently, no,” Kharlan said.

In response to her disqualification, the International Olympic Committee called for Ukrainian athletes to be treated “sensitively”.

Then on Friday, IOC President Thomas Bach, a former Olympic fencer himself, sent Kharlan a letter saying she would be guaranteed a place at next year’s Olympics in Paris regardless of whether she gained the qualification points.

  • DauntingFlamingo
    88·
    1 year ago

    The rules are set up to present a ladylike/gentlemanly behavior in the face of good sportsmanship. There is nothing ungentlemanly or unladylike in refusing to shake hands when a sword tap will suffice.

    There is also nothing unladylike about not wanting to touch the person who represents your rapists. If the athlete representing Russia doesn’t like that treatment, they can choose to participate without representing a nation.

    There are simple solutions to all of these problems, but the most important aspect is she had an agreement with the official that a sword tap would be appropriate and acceptable beforehand. Downvotes mean nothing without a response. I can sign up for 10 accounts and manipulate the votes too!