The IOC awarded the Ukrainian for the scandalous duel with the Russian. The Olympic Movement is rotten!
Mikhail Chesalin July 28, 2023, 21:40 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Who else wants to go to the Olympics?
Everyone probably already knows about the high-profile scandal that broke out at the 2023 World Fencing Championships in Milan. There, in one of the fights, the Ukrainian Olga Kharlan and the Russian Anna Smirnova met, who competed under a neutral flag. The more experienced and titled Harlan won with a score of 15:7, but refused to shake hands with Smirnova, which is required by the rules. In addition, the Ukrainian pointed a gun at her opponent, which seemed prohibitive for such a chivalrous sport as fencing.
Here are all the details and the video:
The Ukrainian woman raised a saber instead of shaking hands with a Russian woman. Scandal at the World Fencing Championship
The judges, though not immediately, seemed to have decided to disqualify Harlan for violating the rules, which of course caused quite a stir in the Ukraine. There, they immediately blamed the Russian side for everything and Smirnova personally. Supposedly, the Russians lobbied the judges and forced them to disqualify poor unfortunate Harlan. The judge who made the decision reportedly even cried.
In short, almost the whole world fell into mourning.
Emotions after the scandalous confrontation:
“I kill myself. I screamed in pain!”. Emotions around the scandalous fight between Russians and Ukrainians
But to allow such an insult and the triumph of justice, according to the written rules of the sport, of course, is impossible. Therefore, the next day, the International Olympic Committee and the International Fencing Federation (FIE) made completely unprecedented decisions.
The IOC sent Harlan a special letter of solidarity, noting that given the “unique situation”, Harlan received a separate individual ticket to the Paris Olympic Games in the summer of 2024. The text of the letter is here:
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The FIE was not far behind the IOC and canceled the disqualification of the Ukrainian for a formal reason: you see, the anti-covid restrictions are still in place, allowing rivals to touch blades instead of the usual handshake. Well, how about this justice?
In general, the decisions of the IOC and the FIE are categorically insufficient. In fact, it was necessary to go all the way and give Harlan the World Championship gold; he surely would have won it if not for the pressure from his damaging Russian rival.
And the IOC, perhaps, can invite everyone from Ukraine to the Olympics at once. Well, what, it is necessary to somehow encourage them for their work in sports.
You can even hold a separate Olympic Games for Ukrainians. And compare the gold medals from this tournament with the awards from all other competitions.
This is all irony, of course. But seriously… After such a decision by the IOC, does anyone still believe in the Olympic movement, in the ideals, principles and rules? Who else wants to go to the Olympics? Or will this be the straw that broke the camel’s back?
Russian athletes, against all the rules, are expelled from the Olympic Games, forcing them to dress in white uniforms and fly under a neutral flag. And we still strive under the wing of Thomas Bach, who kicks us with all his might.
If this is happening now, then it could very well happen at the Games.
These same Games by double standards.
It’s time to come to terms with the fact that we are not on our way with such Olympic Games.
It is difficult to build, together with countries that are not declared enemies of Russia, new Games, where they do not just cheer for someone just because it is necessary from a political point of view, it is difficult. But necessary. Because this Olympic movement is rotten to the core.
It is time for Russia to think about other Games:
The IOC chief is angry at impotence. He called Russia “shameless” and threatened to split the Olympics
