The rules of the international federation state that “the two fencers must shake hands once the result is given.” Kharlan however offered to tap blades.
Ukrainian fencer Olga 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."
Kharlan claimed she had been given the green light to snub Russian rival by the head of the sport's federation despite the gesture being a key feature of post-bout rituals.
Ukrainian fencer Olga 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. Kharlan, 32, claimed she had been given the green light to snub Russian rival Anna Sm ..
World Fencing Championships: Ukraine s Olga Kharlan Disqualified For Refusing Russian Anna Smirnov s Handshake brudirect.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from brudirect.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.