Ukraine calls for disqualified fencer to be reinstated after anti-Russia protest

Olha Kharlan, competing at the world championships in Milan, refused to shake Russian rival’s hand after beating her

Ukraine’s government has called on the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to reverse its decision to disqualify a Ukrainian fencer for refusing to shake hands with her defeated Russian opponent.

The country’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, called for Olha Kharlan to be reinstated in the fencing world championships in Milan, after she was excluded as a result of the aftermath of her victory over Anna Smirnova, a Russian competing as a neutral.