The owner of the largest number of Olympic awards in the history of Ukraine Sabbista Olga Harlan sees that the world of fencing respected the return of Russians to international competitions-they did not respond to the recognition of the “neutral” in the team even in European federations, which initially resisted representatives of the country of aggressor. But, according to the legendary athlete, Ukrainians continue their struggle.
In a commentary on OBOZ.UA, Harlan said how much the decision of the International Federation of the Federation will return Russians in command species, given that the oligarchs from the Russian Federation were headed by oligarchs from the Russian Federation and another Putin Usmanov. Although he abandoned his post after another busting at the end of 2024, he still has a huge force. And Ukrainians who no longer feel support for other countries feel alone in their struggle.
– How is it expected that the decision of the International Federation to allow the Russians in the team?
– Unfortunately, yes. The decision was expected, it seems to me not only for me, but for all Ukrainian fences. I can say this for the whole world. Because everyone is already accustomed to the fact that they are participating in competitions in a personal championship. And after the world championship in juniors and cadets, we have already seen that they had already been accepted in the team at the junior level.
I still thought that they would participate in the Tbilisi World Cup, which would take place in late July. But she did not expect that the Russians would already be present at the European Championship. Since the world is held under the auspices of the International Federation. And I still thought that the European Federation would not sign that we have support from Europe.
But this did not happen. And all this is very upset, to put it mildly. Because when you have no support, it is very difficult to deal with it. We see this in the war in Ukraine. And if we do not have support, then this can be said 100 times more complicated.
But it is necessary to continue to fight, because if we shut up or put it, it will continue, and they will think that there are still Ukrainians and all Ukrainian fencing came to such a situation. But – no, we did not make it easier.
The fencing Federation of Ukraine has sent letters to the International Fence Federation to the International Olympic Committee. Unfortunately, there is no answer, and this is expected, therefore, because they can answer when it is very obvious like me. And they pretend that it should be, unfortunately.
– In your opinion, what does such a step mean? What message does he carry?
– This means that we are forced to put up with the fact that our country has military operations, put up with the situation, put up with the fact that for a long time – for more than three years – a complete large -scale war has been going on, and for them this is a very long time. And, unfortunately, they support Russian athletes because they regret them because the whole world is participating in team competitions, but there are no countries.
And we all know that this is happening. Because the president of the International Federation of the Federation is Usmanov. And after his next elections last year, it was somehow clear. And the message is not very good for the whole world. Unfortunately, we do not see great support from the fencing community, this is from fencing, from athletes.
Some athletes even ask if it ended in Ukraine? I answer: “No.” But the athletes themselves tell me that in their countries they already talk about Ukraine, even in the news they do not see this. And what is happening, they see only through our social networks.
– Have you thought about how they will go when you have to meet with a neutral team?
-No, from the moment I first opposed them at the World Cup in Milan 2023. And nothing will change for our athletes. We see this in all sports – how they behave: they stand on pedestals, but do not take common photos. And this is a normal position that the whole world should respect. There will be no other way.
How will we behave? We are fighting with them on the highway, we are fighting with them on the legal front and so on. Therefore, we do not respect them, like all other countries, we do not press their hands, we do not communicate with them. This is our position, and everyone should consider this.
-Are there other ways to combat the fencing of the countries of the aggressor to competition after such a decision, and is there any sense?
-Unfortunately, what we see, all these methods, which, as we thought, will be effective … When the president of the international federation is a such figure, I can’t say differently, it is very difficult to fight. But we do everything we can. Do you understand? In order to also participate in competitions and prove that we are here, we make excuses with them, we are fighting, but we do not respect them.
– Was there any negative reaction to the return of Russians from representatives of other countries? Is there support for Ukraine?
– Unfortunately, now I have not seen any negative reaction. But I see the silence of other federations, namely from European federations. At the European Championship, which will be held in Italy for another month, but after the decision of the International Federation, I do not see any reaction from European federations, because they probably understand that this does not make sense.
But it makes sense. It always makes sense! However, as I thought, the European fence of the fence was larger on our side and fought with the presence of Russians in team views. And when they were first allowed as neutral athletes, they were against it. Now, unfortunately, I do not see this.
I see that the mood in all federations has changed, everything with their presence has resigned. And at that moment you feel lonely. Lonely in this struggle. Unfortunately, that’s all.
I don’t know how it will happen next. Now they will perform under the flag of the International fencing Federation, which is very cynical. That is, the Russian Federation is currently the International Fencing Federation. This is how it looks.
Unfortunately, it looks very bad. And this happened, despite the recommendations of the IOC. The fencing Federation simply flooded everything that is happening, and she does what she wants. Because this decision was the MOK error, because they gave recommendations only for the decision of the Federation. And here is our federation is the first to do it. Unfortunately, that’s all.
Earlier, OBOZ.UA said that the Ukrainian Olympic champion is upset from the recognition of Russian teams and the silence of other countries. Yana Shemaykina said that the International Fence Federation “completely under Russia”.
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Source: Obozrevatel
Brayden White, a veteran sports writer at Global Happening, brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sports section. With over a decade of experience, he is committed to delivering high-quality coverage of the latest games and events.
