Why was a Ukrainian fencer punished for not shaking a Russian’s hand?

Must politics stay separate from sport? Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan has been disqualified from the World Fencing Championships in Milan after declining to shake hands with her Russian opponent having won the match yesterday. As it concluded, both athletes removed their masks and Anna Smirnova (who competed under a neutral flag) extended her hand. Kharlan responded by presenting her sword as if suggesting they touch sabres instead. Smirnova did not react. 

Kharlan left the stage. Smirnova stood there for almost an hour, waiting for a handshake. Afterwards, Smirnova filed a complaint for lack of ‘show of respect’. The Ukrainian fencer was disqualified from the competition and suspended for 60 days from all further tournaments.

‘No one can ever be forced into peace…by any handshake,’ Kharlan said after the tournament. ‘We know that the country that terrorises our state, our people, our families, also terrorises sport.’

Her stance is common for Ukrainian athletes since last year’s full-scale invasion and was well supported at home: shaking hands with Russians literally damages your reputation in Ukraine.