Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan, who used to be controversially disqualified from the sector championships for now not shaking arms with a Russian opponent, defiantly insisted on Thursday: “We will never shake hands with them.” Kharlan, 32, claimed she have been given the fairway sunny to snub Russian rival Anna Smirnova via the top of the game’s federation regardless of the officialism being a key attribute 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 global champion informed a number of newshounds, together with a reporter from AFP.
She claimed that Emmanuel Katsiadakis, the Greek president of the World Fencing Federation (FIE), had even confident her that it used to be “possible” to not shake arms and deal a marginally of her blade rather following her victory.
“I thought I had his word, to be safe, but apparently, no,” Kharlan stated of Katsiadakis who succeeded Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov as head of the ruling frame within the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“This federation will never change. In any case, I don’t know if I will still be alive if that ends up happening.
“I am hoping the fencing global understands. Now not simply that one thing is flawed however that one thing must be executed to modify it. As a result of guys these days it’s me, the next day it might be you.”
Kharlan’s disqualification is also set to rule her out of the team event at the world championships which double up as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
However, she insisted she has no regrets having won Olympic gold in the teams event in Beijing in 2008.
“All I do know is that I in reality made the best selection,” she said.
“There’s something extra impressive than medals — my nation, my society.
“My phone is going crazy. I’ve had support from so many people… from the government, from athletes, from celebrities and also from soldiers on the front lines.
“A man who flies a helicopter informed me he despatched a video to inform me that he used to be pleased with me. It brings me to tears as a result of I’m very thankful to them. And if they’re pleased with me, it’s as a result of I did one thing that made me glad.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine tennis star Elina Svitolina, who has consistently refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents, said Kharlan’s decision was “the best factor to do for our family”.
“The Russian fencer provoked her and Olha used to be disqualified,” former world number three and recent Wimbledon semi-finalist Svitolina told the Atlantic Council think tank on Thursday.
“This is in reality disrespectful from the fencing federation. Why don’t Russians appreciate our place?”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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