Zelenskiy's Statehood Day Address: Ukraine's Fight Against Russia Intensifies
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan has called for a change in the rules of her sport after being disqualified for refusing to shake hands with Russian fencer Anna Smirnova at the World Fencing Championships. Kharlan won the individual saber bout but offered a touch of her saber's blade instead of a handshake. Tennis player Elina Svitolina and local football clubs Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk expressed solidarity with Kharlan. The Fencing Federation of Ukraine is preparing to appeal the disqualification decision. The International Olympic Committee urged sports federations to handle contests between Ukrainian and Russian athletes with sensitivity due to the ongoing conflict between the two countries.