Intentional? Six-time world champion Kharlan likely to miss World Fencing Championship after drawing Russian
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Ukraine’s Olympic champion fencer Olha Kharlan was drawn to fight Russia’s Anna Smirnova, who will compete under a neutral flag, at the first round of the World Fencing Championships in Milan, Italy.
This means that six-time world champion is likely to withdraw due to Ukraine’s policy of forbidding its athletes from competing against those from Belarus and Russia.
The International Fencing Federation was among the first international sports federations to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes on the recommendation of IOC President Thomas Bach.
This decision prompted the Ukrainian government to forbid Ukraine’s athletes from competing against those from Russia or Belarus, for the safety and psychological well-being of its athletes.
Last week, Ukraine’s sports minister Vadym Huttsait said this policy was under review, however any changes to Ukraine’s boycott policy likely won’t come in time to affect Ukraine’s fencers at the world championships.
Earlier, teammate and Olympic bronze medalist Ihor Reizlin was forced to withdraw after being drawn against Russia’s Vadym Anokhin in the first round.
The Fencing Federation of Ukraine announced that all Ukrainian athletes would boycott the épée fencing competitions due to the participation of Russians and Belarussians.
Kharlan competes in the saber discipline. There has not yet been official confirmation of Kharlan’s boycott.
Commenters at Tribuna.com questioned whether something was amiss with the draw.
“It doesn’t look like a lottery, but like deliberate actions. Coincidence?” asked the users.
This week, Kharlan reacted strongly after Russia’s brutal July 23 attack on Odesa. Taking to social media to directly address the Russians, she said that there is “A separate cauldron in hell waiting for you.”
Last month, after winning her second straight European Games gold medal, she made sure to thank Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
“Ukraine, this is for you. Every fighter who protects us, this is for you. Thank you for the motivation, for the struggle! Thank you for all your faith and support! As long as the heart beats, my country beats! Glory to Ukraine!,” she said after winning.
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