FIE cancels handshake between fencers after Olga Kharlan's disqualification scandal
Olga Kharlan, Ukrainian fencer (Getty Images)
International Fencing Federation (FIE) has made a groundbreaking decision to replace the customary handshake among athletes with distanced greetings, reported La Repubblica.
According to the publication, FIE announced this change during a conference.
The decision allows Ukrainian athletes to avoid approaching Russians, even when the latter compete as "neutrals."
What led to this decision?
Following her victory over Russian fencer Anna Smirnova, Olga Kharlan refused to engage in the traditional ritual of a handshake. After a conversation with her opponent, Kharlan left the fencing ground, while the "neutral" Russian fencer demanded her disqualification.
Despite the judges dismissing the protest from the Russian fencer, Kharlan's subsequent match against Bulgarian fencer Iliieva did not take place. The competition organizers disqualified Kharlan for showing disrespect towards her Russian opponent.
Later, Kharlan was granted an automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games.
