Fencer Olha: We’ll never shake hands with Russians

Olha Kharlan

Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan, who was controversially disqualified from the world championships for not shaking hands with a Russian opponent, defiantly insisted on Thursday: "We will never shake hands with them."

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Kharlan, 32, claimed she had been given the green light to snub Russian rival Anna Smirnova by the head of the sport's federation despite the gesture being a key feature of post-bout rituals. "My message today is that we Ukrainian athletes are ready to face Russians on the sports field but we will never shake hands with them," the four-time world champion told several journalists.

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