2023-07-27 21:36:42
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Ukrainian Olga Kharlan was disqualified from the Fencing Worlds on Thursday July 27 for refusing to shake hands with her Russian opponent.
Published on 07/27/2023 23:36
Reading time: 1 min.
Olga Kharlan following a defeat in qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, July 26, 2021. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)
“I think the disqualification is, it seems to me, a disproportionate action compared to the situation we are experiencing”admits Thursday, July 27 on franceinfo David Lappartient, president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, while the Ukrainian Olga Kharlan was disqualified from the World Fencing Championships for refusing to shake hands with her Russian opponent.
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“Forcing a handshake in these circumstances was perhaps not the best solution”, continues David Lappartient. According to him, this file “would have deserved more sensitivity”. It does not challenge the rules “which forces athletes to shake hands” but in this specific case “from a Ukrainian athlete and a neutral Russian athlete, it would have been worth anticipating this situation and perhaps acting with a little more discernment”.
David Lappartient therefore invites “to perhaps re-analyze the situation” to ensure that “the values of sport prevail”. He wants to avoid “this sporting fight does not end in a political fight”. He adds : “For us, sport must remain politically neutral” and must “be a factor of unity”. “We try to promote peace through sport”he concludes.
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