Fencing Federation overturns disqualification for Ukraine’s Kharlan who snubbed Russian opponent 

This was reported by La Reppublica. 

The FIE (International Fencing Federation) has overturned the decision to disqualify Kharlan for violating the rules at the World Championships. Thus, the leader of the Ukrainian national team will be able to compete on July 29 in team competitions at the World Championships in Milan, which will be a qualifier for the 2024 Olympics.

It is noted that the FIE leadership followed the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee. The federation's executive committee noted that the Ukrainian acted in good faith and held out the saber blade to say goodbye to her rival, according to the COVID protocol that was in effect at the time of the start of the World Championships. 

The FIE clarified that they did not cancel but suspended Harlan's disqualification so that she could compete in the World Championships team tournament. After the World Championships, the Ukrainian saber fencer's two-month suspension will remain in effect.

A ticket to the 2024 Olympics

Earlier on July 28, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Vadym Gutzeit said that the IOC had automatically qualified Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan for the 2024 Olympics. Thus, the Olympic champion will not have to compete for a ticket to Paris at qualifying tournaments.

Disqualification

On July 27 at the World Championships in Milan, Kharlan defeated Smirnova with a score of 15:7. After the match, the Ukrainian refused to shake hands with her opponent. The Russian, who was allowed to compete in a neutral status, staged a provocation after the defeat. She stayed on the fencing track for 50 minutes and insisted that according to the rules, her opponent had to shake her hand. In the end, the judges awarded the Ukrainian a victory. 

In the next round, Olha Kharlan was supposed to meet Ioana Ilieva, but she did not show up for the fight. The Bulgarian saber fencer automatically qualified for the next round. 

As a result, the Ukrainian was disqualified for violating the rules.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for the disqualification of Olha Kgarlan from the World Fencing Championships to be canceled.

Olha Kharlan is a 2008 Olympic champion in team competition and a six-time world champion.

Olha Kharlan's reaction

On July 27, the Ukrainian fencer recorded a video message on Instagram, in which she thanked everyone for their support and emphasized that her action on the track against Smirnova was from the bottom of her heart.

"Today was, as you can see, a very difficult and important day. What has happened raises a lot of questions, but at the same time, a lot of answers. We have realized that the country that terrorizes our country, our people, our families also terrorizes sports.

What happened today is what had to happen. I did not want to shake hands with this athlete and acted with my heart. When I heard that they wanted to remove me from the competition, disqualify me, give me a black card, of course, it killed me. It killed me so much that I was screaming in pain. But then I started to come back to life because of you. Your messages, stories, support - the support of everyone. And especially the support from our soldiers who protect us. When I hear this, that I motivate them, that this act motivated them, it is impossible to convey. I thank each and every one of you, each and every soldier who defends us.

You know, you can never force anyone to peace. Especially Ukrainians. Never. No handshakes. Never. So it will always be like this. And I, perhaps, like everyone else in this world, an adequate world, understand that the rules have to change. Because the world is changing. But what I feel from all of you is beyond words. I thank everyone, I feel everything. You are in my heart. Glory to Ukraine," Kharlan said.

Ukraine suspends boycott of tournaments featuring Russians and Belarusians 

On March 30, the Cabinet of Ministers decided that Ukrainian athletes would boycott tournaments featuring athletes from Russia or Belarus. 

On July 27, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine issued an order allowing Ukrainian athletes to participate in competitions where Russians and Belarusians compete in a neutral status, rather than under their own flags. Thus, Ukraine abandoned its boycott of tournaments where athletes from Russia and Belarus compete in neutral status.

Kharlan became the first Ukrainian fencer to meet a Russian athlete after Russia's full-scale invasion.