Arrr! The IOC be summonin' a Ukrainian swashbuckler to the 2024 Olympics, after they were disqualified fer a scandalous handshake dispute at the worlds, matey!
2023-07-28
Arr, Olga Kharlan, a swashbucklin' lass with four Olympic medals, be sailin' to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games! The IOC, in a rare twist o' fate, be grantin' her a "unique exception" after she be walkin' the plank at the 2023 Fencing World Championships for refusin' to shake hands with her Russian foe.
A day after Olga Kharlan, a four-time Olympic medalist, was disqualified from the 2023 Fencing World Championships for refusing to shake hands with her Russian opponent, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has guaranteed her place in the 2024 Olympic Games. The IOC president, Thomas Bach, wrote a letter to Kharlan, stating that the committee will make a "unique exception" to ensure her qualification for the Olympics. Due to her disqualification, Kharlan missed out on earning ranking points that contribute to Olympic qualification. The IOC will allocate an additional quota place for her in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris if she is unable to qualify within the remaining period.Kharlan had defeated Russian athlete Anna Smirnova, who was competing as a neutral athlete, in the women's individual sabre event. Instead of shaking hands, which is mandated by the International Fencing Federation (FIE), Kharlan offered her blade as a gesture due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Smirnova extended her hand, but Kharlan walked off to celebrate her victory, leading to her disqualification.
The FIE initially defended the decision to issue Kharlan a black card for not following the handshake rule. However, after the Ukrainian Fencing Federation appealed the decision, FIE allowed Kharlan to compete for Ukraine in the team sabre event but maintained the penalty. The IOC's decision to guarantee Kharlan's place in the 2024 Olympics acknowledges the unique circumstances and the points she missed due to her disqualification.
In a statement, Kharlan expressed gratitude for the reversal and emphasized the importance of being able to compete for her family, team, country, and supporters. Bach, in his letter, empathized with Kharlan, acknowledging the challenges she faced, including the war in Ukraine and the uncertainty surrounding her participation in the Fencing World Championships.
The IOC's show of solidarity with Ukrainian athletes and the Olympic community during these difficult times reflects their support and understanding.