Ukrainian fencer disqualified for refusing to shake hands
Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan, a multiple world champion, Olympic medal-winner and “role models” Barbie, has been disqualified from the World Fencing Championships in Milan for refusing to shake hands with Russia’s Anna Smirnova. Kharlan defeated Smirnova 15:7 and offered to bump sabres when Smirnova extended her hand. When Kharlan left, Smirnova stayed on the track for almost an hour protesting against Kharlan’s refusal to show “respect”, which is punishable with a black card under International Fencing Federation rules. The Fencing Federation of Ukraine is preparing a protest against the disqualification. “Peace can’t be forced on anyone,” Kharlan said later. “Especially Ukrainians. Never. No handshakes. The rules have to change, because the world is changing.”
Photograph Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images