Ukraine’s first medal at the 2024 Olympics was won by women’s fencer Olga Kharlan, who dedicated her bronze in saber fencing to her country amid its ongoing war with Russia. Despite being at a six-point deficit, Kharlan came back to beat South Korea’s Choi Sebin 15-14. She expressed that the medal was not just for herself but for all Ukrainian athletes facing the challenge of competing while their country is at war. Kharlan emphasized that every medal is like gold to her, regardless of its color.
There are only 140 Ukrainian athletes at the Paris Olympics, the smallest group in the country’s history at the Summer Games due to the hundreds who have lost their lives in the war. A display at Parliament Square in London honored the 487 Ukrainian athletes who have been killed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, just days after the conclusion of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The conflict has now lasted for over two years, five months, and one week and has impacted the lives of many athletes from Ukraine.
Kharlan’s journey to the Olympics almost came to an end during the 2023 World Fencing Championships when she was disqualified for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent she had defeated. This put her Olympic aspirations in jeopardy as the World Championships serve as a key qualifier for the Olympics. However, the International Olympic Committee granted her a “unique exception” and guaranteed her a spot in Paris. Fencing’s governing body also rescinded the disqualification and two-month ban, and made handshakes after bouts optional.
The rulings that allowed Kharlan to compete also led to her earning Ukraine’s first Olympic medal since the Russian invasion. Kharlan expressed that she wouldn’t change anything about her journey as it reflects her country’s struggles and represents what Ukraine is going through. Meanwhile, Russia will not be earning any Olympic medals at the Paris Games due to its invasion of Ukraine just four days after the conclusion of the 2022 Winter Olympics. Russian athletes are not allowed to compete under their nation’s flag but can participate as “Individual Neutral Athletes.”
The International Olympic Committee considered Russia’s attack on Ukraine a violation of the Olympic truce, which calls for all nations to cease conflict and lay down arms starting one week before the Olympics and ending one week after. As a result, Russian athletes are unable to represent their country’s flag in Paris. Despite the circumstances, Kharlan’s bronze medal is a symbolic victory for Ukraine in the midst of the ongoing conflict. The dedication and resilience shown by Kharlan and other Ukrainian athletes serve as a reminder of the power of sport in the face of adversity.
