By Eliza Popova
"Anna Smirnova lost fair competition and decided to play dirty with a handshake. This is how the Russian army on the battlefield operates. Olga Harlan won in a honest competition and showed herself with dignity," he wrote. The Foreign Minister called on the International Federation of Fencing "Restore Harlan's Rights" and allow the Ukrainian athlete to participate in competitions.
On July 27, Ukrainian fencing officer Olga Harlan was disqualified from the World Cup because she did not shake Anna Smirnova's hand - a rival from Russia, who acted as a neutral athlete. The relevant decision was made by the International Federation Federation. Smirnova automatically passed to the next round of competitions. The situation was commented by the President of the Federation of Fencing of Ukraine Mikhail Ilyashev.
He stated that Ukraine is preparing a protest and will challenge the decision. Ilyashev emphasized that the judge did not give a black card, and called the disqualification of Harlan "underblowing games". Also, a scandal in the field of sports was reacted in the President's office. Advisor Mikhail Podolyak noted that he does not consider Smirnova's position "neutral". He posted a photo of a athlete in a military fur hat with a man in the form of a Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
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