Olympic gold medalist disqualified from World Championships after refusing handshake with Russian opponent
Fox News
Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships in Milan Thursday after she refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent.
Kharlan, 32, did not shake Smirnova’s hand as is mandated by the International Fencing Federation (FIE), but instead offered her blade, a gesture which replaced the handshake rule during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paulina Dedaj is a Sports Reporter for Fox News Digital.
Smirnova offered her hand, and after a brief standoff, Kharlan walked off to celebrate her victory.
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