2023-07-28 22:00:26
Disqualified for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent at the world fencing championships in Milan, Ukrainian athlete Olga Kharlan has been guaranteed a place for the Paris-2024 Olympics by the International Olympic Committee.
Published on: 07/28/2023 – 22:00
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Russia will see it as preferential treatment, Ukraine as a measure of justice. Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan was guaranteed a place at the Paris-2024 Olympic Games by the IOC on Friday July 28, after the outcry caused by her disqualification on Thursday at the World Fencing Championships for refusing to shake hands with her Russian opponent ,
Kharlan’s suspension was lifted at the same time on Friday by the International Fencing Federation (FIE), allowing him to compete in the team event from Saturday.
This decision will most certainly anger Moscow, which has already accused the IOC of favoring Ukrainian sportsmen over its own athletes, since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
“In view of your particular situation, the International Olympic Committee will allocate you an additional quota for the Paris-2024 Olympic Games in the event that you are unable to qualify within the remaining period,” reads a letter signed by Thomas Bach. , the IOC President released by Ukrainian Sports Minister Vadym Gutzeit.
An inflection of the kyiv doctrine
This missive, the authenticity of which was confirmed to AFP by an IOC spokesperson, is addressed to the quadruple world champion, whose disqualification the day before cost very precious points in the race for the Olympics.
As early as Friday morning, the head of the Russian Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, had accused the International Olympic Committee of acting “in the interests” of Ukraine, after the IOC called for showing “sensitivity” with athletes Ukrainians.
“The IOC (…) took sides in a political conflict, began to act in the interests of this party,” lamented Stanislav Pozdniakov in a statement published on Telegram.
On Wednesday, Ukraine had authorized its athletes to face Russian or Belarusian athletes, provided that the latter compete under a neutral banner, which the IOC recommends.
Previously, Ukrainians were purely and simply banned from taking part in competitions where Russian or Belarusian nationals lined up, with the exception of tennis where players compete individually.
Olga Kharlan had herself severely criticized this posture of Ukraine in an interview with AFP in mid-July pleading for Ukrainian athletes to be able to do like their tennis counterparts, who grit their teeth and play well and truly against Russians and Belarusians.
With AFP
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