Ukraine’s inaugural medal at the 2024 Olympics is claimed by women’s fencer Olga Kharlan, who emphasizes that this achievement represents more than just her personal victory.
On Monday, Kharlan triumphed over South Korea’s Choi Sebin with a score of 15-14, rallying from a six-point deficit to secure the bronze medal in women’s saber fencing. She dedicated her medal to Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
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“I have brought a medal for my country, and it’s the first one, which will motivate all our athletes here because competing is incredibly challenging when your country is at war,” Kharlan shared with reporters post-match. “Every medal holds the value of gold for me. I don’t mind that it’s bronze; to me, it’s gold.”
During the Fencing Women’s Sabre Individual Bronze Medal Bout at the Paris Olympics, Sebin Choi and Olga Kharlan face off. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Ukraine has sent only 140 athletes to the Olympics, marking the smallest delegation in its history at the Summer Games, as the war has claimed hundreds of lives.
A tribute featuring sports equipment has been arranged at Parliament Square in London to honor the 487 Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives since Russia began its invasion.
Since the outset of Russia’s war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, shortly after the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics concluded, the conflict has continued for over two years. This situation nearly cost Kharlan the opportunity to compete in the Paris Olympics, were it not for a “unique exception.”
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At the 2023 World Fencing Championships, Kharlan was disqualified for declining to shake hands with a defeated Russian opponent. This disqualification jeopardized her Olympic prospects, given that the World Championships serve as a crucial Olympic qualifier, along with a subsequent two-month ban.
However, the International Olympic Committee later allowed her a “unique exception” and ensured her participation in Paris. The governing body of fencing also annulled the disqualification and the two-month ban, establishing a new rule that made post-match handshakes optional.
Olga Kharlan celebrates her victory in the Fencing Women’s Sabre Individual Bronze Medal event at the Paris Olympics. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
These rulings provided Kharlan the opportunity to compete and secure her nation’s first Olympic medal since the onset of the Russian invasion.
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“I can confidently say that I wouldn’t change anything,” Kharlan stated regarding her journey. “What I have experienced represents my country’s struggles, and I cherish my story.”
In contrast, Russia will not be awarded any Olympic medals during the Paris Games.
Olga Kharlan, the bronze medalist from Team Ukraine, celebrates on the podium during the Women’s Sabre Individual award ceremony at the Paris Olympics. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
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As a result of Russia invading Ukraine just four days after the conclusion of the 2022 Winter Olympics, the International Olympic Committee deemed this act a breach of the Olympic truce— a resolution that urges nations to cease hostilities one week before and one week after the Olympics.
Consequently, athletes from Russia are prohibited from representing their national flag in Paris, though they may compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes.”
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