Ukrainian fencer Kharlan refuses to shake hands with Russian opponent at World Championships, gets disqualified

Olha Kharlan, a Ukrainian fencer, defeated Anna Smirnova of Russia at the World Fencing Championships in Milan, beating her opponent with the score of 15:7. The encounter was broadcasted by the International Fencing Federation.

After winning the encounter, Kharlan, an Olympic champion, refused to shake her opponent’s hand and pointed her sabre towards Smirnova before turning around and leaving.

Smirnova addressed the referees, protesting against a conduct violation, although her protest was denied. She, however, remained at the piste for an hour, and was even provided a chair to sit on.

According to the FIE rule 122, the athletes must salute each other and shake each other’s hands. If one or both athletes refuses to do so, a match should be considered unfinished.

Ilgar Mamedov, the President of the Russian Fencing Federation, says Russia insists that the result of the match should be forfeit. TASS reports Olha Kharlan has been disqualified from the competition. She was to face Bulgaria’s Yoana Ilieva in the last 32 round, but never arrived at the piste, granting Ilieva a bye.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Youth and Sports issued an order earlier today, softening the ban on Ukrainian national teams from participating in competitions that involve athletes from Russia or Belarus.

The Ukrainian athletes are now prohibited from participating only in competitions in which Russian and Belarusian athletes use their national flags.