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"No handshakes. Ever." Harlan expressed her position on the disqualification from the international championship
"It was done with all my heart": Olga Kharlan, leader of the Ukrainian national fencing team, speaks out for the first time about her disqualification at the World Championships in Milan.
"When I heard that they were going to withdraw me from the competition, disqualify me, give me a black card, of course, it killed me. It killed me so much that I was screaming in pain. But then I started to come back to life, because you, your messages, stories, support - everyone's support, and especially the support from our fighters who are protecting us. When I hear this, that I motivate them, that this act has motivated them, it is impossible to convey. I thank each of you, each soldier who protects us," Olga said. She added that "no one can ever be forced to peace, especially Ukrainians." "No handshakes. Never. That's why it will always be like this. And I, perhaps, like everyone else in this world, an adequate world, understand that the rules have to change. Because the world is changing. But what I feel from all of you is beyond words. I thank everyone, I feel everything. You are in my heart. Glory to Ukraine," Harlan said.
We would like to remind you that after winning the World Championships against Russian player Smirnova, Harlan refused to shake her hand. The organizers of the event decided to disqualify Harlan, despite the fact that the judges confirmed her victory. Earlier, Olympic champion and MP Zhan Beleniuk said that Olga Harlan received permission from the FIE not to shake hands with the Russian athlete;
Photo: instagram.com/olgakharlan
