Ukrainian saber fencer Olga Kharlan spoke about her disqualification at the 2023 Fencing World Championships due to her refusal to shake hands with Russian Anna Smirnova. In a comment to the Italian publication Pianeta Scherm, Harlan noted that her suspension was not the decision of the tournament judges, but the International Fencing Federation (FIE). " For all these months before the tournament, we had no news whether we could participate or not, and these were the qualifying competitions for the Olympics. I couldn't wait for them, and I knew I could win, I was happy, but at the same time I felt a lot of pressure, I slept for three hours, I tried to understand my emotions, I said to myself: " It was very hard because Russia is a terrorist state, but then I resigned myself that I had no choice.. Our military must protect us, and they face the enemy face to face, and therefore she said to herself: " I did it, but it was emotionally difficult. The tournament director and referee said they would give me a black card. It wasn't the referee's choice, I don't think so, it wasn't during the fight. The referee was very upset. He was also treated very cruelly, like everyone else.. System, this federation kills everyone, even arbitrators. I know the referee, he is Italian, not a friend, but I respect him as a referee, he did not give me a black card on the track. I love this sport, but these people want to destroy everything: life, love for it and career in many ways.

I don’t know what will happen next, but I understand that my performances at this world championship are over, and my team will have to compete without me. Now let's see how long the black card lasts," Earlier it was reported that Harlan faces a long suspension due to the provocation of a Russian woman at the World Fencing Championships.. Fencing Federation of Ukraine appeals Harlan's disqualification from Fencing World Championship. TSN. ua collected all the details of this scandal. Recall that Olga emotionally commented on the disqualification scandal in a video message.