“I know who doesn't need to shake hands with": Harlan on hugging ex-Russian after winning Olympic fight

Ukrainian fencer Olga Harlan, commenting on her hug and handshake with Azerbaijani fencer of Russian origin Anna Bashta after winning a fight at the 2024 Olympics, said that she had been representing another country for five years and emphasized that she knew who not to shake hands with.

UNN reports this with referenceto Suspilne Sport.

The Ukrainian national team has won its first medal of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It was won by saber fencer Olha Harlan, who won bronze in the individual competition.

On her way to the bronze medal, Harlan won four matches in five. In particular, in the 1/8 finals, she defeated Anna Bashta of Azerbaijan.

Bashta is an Azerbaijani fencer of Russian descent: she was born in Togliatti and until 2018 represented the Russian national team, where she won, among other things, a silver medal at the World Cup.

After defeating Bashta, Harlan shook hands with her opponent and hugged her before leaving the track. Although in 2023, it was the Ukrainian fencer who refused to greet the “neutral” Russian Anna Smirnova with a handshake, which resulted in a black card at the World Championships.

In a commentary for Suspilne Sport, Harlan explained her decision to congratulate Bashta after the fight. The sabre fencer emphasized that her opponent has been representing another country for five years.

“She has been representing Azerbaijan since 2019, and believe me: I know who doesn't need to shake hands. She wished me gold yesterday, and it's very nice,” Harlan said.

Harlan's next performance at the 2024 Olympics will be the team championship.

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