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World

Why was a Ukrainian fencer punished for not shaking a Russian’s hand?

29 July 2023

3:00 AM

29 July 2023

3:00 AM

Must politics stay separate from sport? Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan has been disqualified from the World Fencing Championships in Milan after declining to shake hands with her Russian opponent having won the match yesterday. As it concluded, both athletes removed their masks and Anna Smirnova (who competed under a neutral flag) extended her hand.

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