Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan refused to shake hands with a Russian athlete and was disqualified

During the World Fencing Championships, Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan refused to shake hands with her Russian rival Anna Smirnova. Initially, the athlete was not disqualified, but later the decision was reconsidered.

This was reported by Suspilne.

The Ukrainian defeated Smirnova with a score of 15:7.

According to the rules of the International Fencing Federation, Kharlan could have been disqualified for refusing to shake hands. However, the judges decided not to do so, and Olha Kharlan advanced to the next round.

At the same time, the athletes waited over 50 minutes for the judges' decision.

Later it became known that Kharlan's bout against Bulgarian athlete Ilieva did not take place.

The Bulgarian representative was automatically declared the winner.