IOC issues invitation to Ukrainian fencer disqualified for anti-Russia protest

Olha Kharlan gets ‘unique exception’ in Olympic qualifying procedures after she refused to shake Russian opponent’s hand

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued a special invitation to a Ukrainian fencer to take part in the Paris Olympics next year, after she was disqualified from a tournament for refusing to shake hands with her defeated Russian opponent.

The IOC president, Thomas Bach, a former Olympic champion fencer himself, wrote in person to Olha Kharlan to make a “unique exception” to Olympic qualifying procedures, in an unusually emotional letter.

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