This was for Ukraine. It represented the hopes of the people back home, where every triumph, no matter its nature, carries a significance that few outside the country can comprehend. It was for those who sacrificed their lives fighting to ensure that the nation’s athletes could compete freely. It honored Olha Kharlan’s family in Mykolaiv, whose parents endured months in a basement under relentless Russian attacks. And it was a testament to the principles that almost cost her the chance to experience this moment.
Kharlan fell to her knees in tears after defeating Choi Sebin, the energetic South Korean, in a sudden death battle to clinch bronze in the women’s sabre. She jumped into the embrace of her coach, Andrea Terenzio, kissing the blue and yellow mask that symbolized her historic achievement. Although she had aspired to reclaim gold in what is likely her last Olympic appearance, it was beautifully poetic that a true national hero secured Ukraine’s first medal of Paris 2024.
“This is a message to the entire world that Ukraine will never surrender,” stated a weary Kharlan, who had just made her point in a spectacular fashion. Her night had been on the verge of ending disappointingly when Choi, just 23 years old and a significant talent in this sport, initially surged ahead by six points. A shout of “Come on Olha!” rose from the crowd, igniting something incredible. The arena, alive with patriotic energy all day, would erupt again an hour later when local favorite Manon Apithy-Brunet claimed the title, but for the moment, the atmosphere shifted to support Kharlan.
Chants of encouragement erupted for Kharlan, a six-time world champion with four Olympic medals already to her name. An 11-5 deficit transformed into a 12-11 lead in a nail-biting final exchange, culminating in a dramatic 15-14 victory. “I’m just grateful to the piste that I made it,” she expressed. “This medal is unlike any other. It holds special meaning because it represents my country. All the athletes here are facing the realities of war. We are demonstrating our ability to fight, and I showcased that somehow.”
The Grand Palais was a stunning venue: a remarkable use of Parisian architecture that lent an air of genuine awe, its two sheer stands cascading downward toward the podium beneath the glass domed roof. Before the evening’s highlight matches, the competitors presented themselves regally from a balcony overlooking the action, gracefully descending a curved staircase before immersing themselves in the competition.
In her journey here, Kharlan faced challenges beyond a spirited local crowd that amplified every sound in the hall’s incredible acoustics. In the context of the Olympics, the evening ultimately belonged to France, with a captivating day of events culminating in Apithy-Brunet overcoming her compatriot Sara Balzer. However, the importance of Kharlan’s achievement—a milestone amid a unique Olympic experience for her nation—will resonate far beyond this moment.
A year ago, Kharlan faced disqualification from the world championships for refusing to shake hands with her vanquished Russian opponent Anna Smirnova. It was a devastating blow; she felt shattered, alone, and misunderstood, fully aware that her expulsion would jeopardize her chances for the Olympics. A personal appeal from Thomas Bach, the IOC president and former fencer, eventually restored sense to the situation, paving the path toward Paris.
Interest piqued during the afternoon when, after advancing to the last 16, she was set to face Azerbaijan’s Anna Bashta. Bashta, who was born in Russia, competed under that flag until 2019. The 28-year-old switched her nationality to bypass the line of Russian fencers in what turned into a controversial move when she represented her new country at Tokyo 2020.
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Kharlan handily defeated her former opponent, sharing a handshake and a brief hug afterward, with Bashta later explaining that they had a long-standing friendship. Had Bashta changed her nationality following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, circumstances might have been viewed differently.
The ultimate prize danced just out of reach as Kharlan faced a dynamic Balzer in her semi-final, amid the roaring pride of French supporters. While that particular miracle might have been too ambitious, she still sparked jubilation among Ukraine’s dedicated supporters during her bronze medal match. “There was immense pressure because you want to dedicate this to so many,” she reflected on the burden she carried into that deciding match. “You want to do it for your family, for yourself. All the sacrifices, all the news, all the tragic moments when Russia has bombed and killed people. We all bear this weight, which is why it’s so challenging.”
For Kharlan, the yearning for a triumphant farewell drenched in gold will linger until the women’s team event on Saturday. It would take a monumental effort to surpass the powerful emotions of relief and joy that marked her evening. She made it to Paris against all odds, and what a journey it has been.
