Fencer Olga Kharlan gave Ukraine its first medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Wrapped in emotion after winning bronze in a close fight against South Korean Choi Sebin, the 33-year-old fencer dedicated the victory to her fellow athletes who have been affected by the Russian invasion of their country.
“This is very special for me, it is infinitely special. This is for the athletes from my country who have not been able to be here because Russia murdered them. And also for all the athletes who are here representing Ukraine,” said Kharlan, who also slipped that she could be living her last Olympic Games. “You don’t know how difficult it is to prepare and concentrate on the competition when you are at home, under attack, every day,” she concluded.
Kharlan added her fifth participation in the Olympic Games in the capital of France, adding the sixth medal in his history in these mega events. Competing in teams, she won gold in Beijing 2008 and bronze in Rio 2016. Individually she won bronze in London 2012, Rio 2016 and now Paris 2024. In addition, she has won 15 medals at world championships.
Kharlan on Paris 2024 (Tommaso Berardi/LiveMedia).
Is it the most important medal of her career? “It’s totally different. It’s special because it’s for my country. For my family, for all the athletes who go to war, for the Ukrainians who are on the front line of fire, for my girls, who are incredible,” Kharlan dedicated.
“This is a message for all of Ukraine, for the whole world. I am Ukrainian, my blood is Ukrainian, and I want to say that we Ukrainians never give up. We will not give up,” added the Olympic medalist.
It is not the first time that Kharlan has raised her voice for Ukraine or has taken actions of this type in competitions. In 2023 she was expelled from the World Cup for refusing to greet a Russian athlete. Even Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee and former Olympic champion fencer, got involved by sending a letter to the Ukrainian assuring her that she would be in Paris 2024. Finally the fencer would qualify on her own merits, she would argue with the bronze and give her message in the main sports venue in the world.
