The leader of Ukraine’s national fencing team, Olga Kharlan, said she “acted with my heart” following her disqualification from the world championships for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent.
The four-time individual world champion and four-time Olympic medalist also called for a rule change regarding the disqualification of athletes who refuse to shake hands with opponents.
An athlete’s refusal to shake hands after a contest results in a black card and expulsion, according to International Fencing Federation rules.
“The rules have to change because the world is changing,” Kharlan said in a video message posted on Instagram on Thursday, during which she also thanked her supporters.
Kharlan had just beaten Russian Anna Smirnova, who was competing as an individual neutral athlete, at the world championships in Milan when the Ukrainian fencer offered her sabre to tap blades rather than shaking hands.
Smirnova then walked away before staging a sit-down protest for about 45 minutes.
“I did not want to shake hands with that athlete and I acted with my heart,” said Kharlan.
“So when I heard that they were going to remove me from the competition, disqualify me and give me a black card, of course it killed me. It killed me so much that I was screaming in pain.”
She added that she came “back to life” thanks to messages of support from the public, “especially the support from our fighters who are defending us.”
On Friday, the International Fencing Federation announced that it is permitting Kharlan to participate in the sabre team competition at the world championships.
“We have discussed this issue and decision thoroughly, and we have met with Ms. Kharlan,” the federation’s interim president Emmanuel Katsiadakis said as part of a press release.
“Furthermore, and after consultation with the International Olympic Committee, we believe this decision is made in keeping with the Olympic Spirit. It also sends a message of sensitivity and understanding to our members and all sports federations, as the world faces tremendous challenges.”
In the press release, Kharlan said that she was grateful for the decision, adding: “The most important thing for an athlete is to be able to compete, for my family, my team, my country and all the people who support me. During these difficult few days, I appreciate all the support I’ve had from around the world.”
The issue of Ukrainians and Russians not shaking hands in sport is not new. Ukrainian tennis stars – namely Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, and Lesia Tsurenko – have all refused to shake hands with Russian opponents.
Svitolina, a semifinalist at Wimbledon this month, offered her support to Kharlan, writing on social media on Thursday: “We are not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian athletes. That is our position! I call on international sports organisations and federations to respect our decision!”