The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has announced that it will drop the rule which obligates fencers to shake hands after a bout over the scandal that erupted after Ukrainian athlete Olha Kharlan refused to do so with her Russian opponent and was disqualified for it, La Repubblica reports.
The traditional handshake will be substituted for a salute from a distance which will allow Ukrainians to not come in contact with Russians who compete as neutrals.
Earlier, Kharlan won a bout against Russia’s Anna Smirnova 15:7 at the World Championships in Milan but refused to shake hands with her. Instead, she pointed her sabre towards the Russian, turned around, and left the piste.
According to the FIE rules, fencers should salute to each other and shake hands after a bout. If one or both athletes refuse to do so, the contest is not considered finished. Kharlan was later disqualified.
The story caused a scandal. In particular, Ukrainians online accused Smirnova of staging a provocation. Ultimately, the FIE Executive Committee lifted Kharlan’s disqualification at the World Championships, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted her an automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
