The Ukrainian Fencing Federation (FFU) has submitted a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding what it sees as inaction by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) in the case of Ukrainian saber fencer Olga Kharlan. The communication, which is publicly referenced on the federation’s official platforms, underscores the group’s belief that Kharlan was treated unfairly and that important procedural questions remained unanswered in the wake of the events at the World Championships and subsequent actions by the sport’s governing bodies.
The complaint frames the situation as part of a broader campaign to challenge what it characterizes as unfair and embarrassing disqualification measures that followed Kharlan’s duel against a neutral athlete identified as Anna Smirnova from Russia during the 2023 World Championships. The FFU argues that the FIE’s handling of the incident violated the spirit of fair play and the established rules governing competition at the sport’s highest level, and it asserts that the federation did not receive timely or adequate remedy from the sport’s ruling structures.
At the 2023 World Championships in Milan, Kharlan won her 1/32 final against Smirnova with a decisive 15-7 scoreline. After the victory, Kharlan declined to participate in a handshake that had been mandated by some interpretive guidelines and was perceived by many observers as a ritual that does not replace the obligation to continue the competition in accordance with the rules. She left the fencing strip after the match, a move that prompted immediate controversy. Smirnova waited in good faith for 45 minutes for her opponent to complete the post-match protocol, but did not proceed once Kharlan appeared to have completed her participation for the bout. Ultimately, Kharlan was disqualified, and she was not permitted to advance to the 1/16 finals of the tournament. The decision sparked debate about the consistency of rule enforcement, the role of post-match rituals in fencing, and the processes used to review and overturn disciplinary actions.
On July 28, the Executive Committee of the FIE announced a reversal of Kharlan’s disqualification, reinstating her eligibility to participate in team events. The reversal was presented as a corrective step within the sport’s governing framework, yet it did not resolve all concerns raised by Kharlan’s supporters or by the FFU. The federation contends that the initial penalty and the subsequent reversal raised questions about whether due process had been followed and whether the standards applied were uniform and transparent across similar situations. The FFU has called for clarity on the criteria used to impose and lift penalties, as well as for improved oversight to prevent perceived inconsistencies in disciplinary measures affecting Ukrainian athletes and other competitors from the region.
Ukraine’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Vadym Gutzeit, publicly stated that the IOC would consider granting Kharlan an additional Olympic license should she be unable to participate in the 2024 Games. This statement reflects the broader context in which national sporting authorities seek to safeguard the rights and opportunities of their athletes when the international federation’s decisions impact the eligibility and preparation for major events. It also highlights ongoing conversations about how Olympic qualification pathways interact with disciplinary processes at the world federation level, and the extent to which national bodies can seek interim relief while such matters are fully resolved on the international stage.
In the wake of these events, Kharlan has addressed the public and the fencing community, stressing her commitment to competing at the highest levels while also urging governance bodies to uphold fairness, consistency, and clarity in decision making. The situation illustrates the tension that can arise between individual athletes, national federations, and international federations when rules are tested under high-stakes circumstances. As the sport moves forward, stakeholders are watching closely to see how policy adjustments, procedural reforms, and possible future appeals will shape the landscape for Ukrainian athletes and for international fencing overall, with the aim of ensuring that competitions are conducted with transparency, respect for athletes, and adherence to the letter and spirit of the rules.