Ukraine Fencer Disqualified From World Championships After Not Shaking Russian’s Hand

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia boiled over in a world championship fencing match.

Ukrainian Olympic champion fencer Olga Kharlan has been disqualified from the world championships after she refused to shake hands with Russian competitor Anna Smirnova following their match Thursday.

Kharlan defeated Smirnova 15–7 in the first round of the world championships Thursday. After the match, Kharlan put out her sabre instead of shaking hands, a practice that was allowed only during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smirnova, who was allowed to compete in a neutral capacity and not officially represent Russia, put out her hand for a handshake, and Kharlan declined. After a few seconds, Kharlan walked off the strip.

Kharlan was asked about her refusal to shake hands and her disqualification following the match.

“I wanted to show my respect somehow because first of all, I came to the piste to fence against her,” she said. “No Ukrainian athletes did it before [during the Russia-Ukraine war], so I was the first one, and I showed my respect by fencing against her, and I won this match clearly and fair.”

After the International Fencing Federation (FIE) issued Kharlan a black card, disqualifying her from competition, the Ukraine Fencing Federation said it was outraged and planning to appeal. The FIE has not officially stated the reason for Kharlan’s disqualification.

On Wednesday, Kharlan asked the FIE president whether she could acknowledge Smirnova with her sabre instead of shaking hands, and the FIE president said it would “probably” be possible for her to do so without being disqualified. Kharlan was disqualified anyway.

Although Kharlan was eliminated, the FIE did not advance Smirnova to the next round, acknowledging the result of the defeat without allowing Kharlan to continue on in the world championships.