The Youth and Sports Committee of the Verkhovna Rada in Ukraine has urged international sports federations to remove mandatory handshakes and salutes from competitions that feature athletes from both Ukraine and Russian or Belarusian teams. The call appeared on the committee’s Telegram channel, signaling a push to adjust traditional greeting rituals in light of ongoing tensions and the impact on athletes from Ukraine and its neighbors.
In the committee’s message, the appeal is clear: international sports bodies should revise competition rules to eliminate obligatory handshakes or salutes when Ukrainian athletes compete against Russian or Belarusian opponents. The statement frames the request as an important step toward ensuring that sports events can proceed with fairness and respect while avoiding symbolic gestures that may be interpreted as political statements.
Recently, Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan faced a charged moment at the World Championships in Milan. In the 1/32 final, she defeated Russian competitor Anna Smirnova by 15 to 7. After the match, Kharlan declined the traditional handshake and exited the piste. This refusal led to a personal tournament disqualification, though she remained eligible to compete in the team events that followed.
Despite the tensed atmosphere, the disqualification did not end Kharlan’s participation in the event. The Ukrainian team, however, ultimately faced a loss in the bronze medal match with a score of 32 to 45 against South Korea. This outcome reflected the broader competitive pressures and the emotions that accompany head-to-head clashes between Ukrainian athletes and athletes from Russia or Belarus in high-stakes international settings.
Throughout the episode, observers noted the persistent calls from Ukrainian officials and supporters for broader policy changes in international sport. There is a sense among many in Ukraine that broader restrictions on Russian participation in international competitions would reduce perceived political interference in sports and align with national security considerations. Critics and supporters alike point to the need for clear rules that separate sport from geopolitics while acknowledging the unique emotional and symbolic dimensions involved in these matchups. In this ongoing discussion, the role of international federations is to balance athletic integrity with diplomatic sensitivity, an endeavor that many regard as essential for the legitimacy and safety of global competitions.
Overall, the conversation around mandatory greetings, athletes’ rights, and political neutrality in sport remains dynamic. The Ukrainian committee’s appeal contributes to a broader debate about how best to protect athletes from the pressures of conflict while preserving the competitive spirit that defines international fencing and other sports. [Source attribution: Verkhovna Rada Youth and Sports Committee, cited in official communications]