Olga Kharlan, a seasoned Ukrainian fencer, brought home a remarkable bronze medal in the women’s sabre event at the Paris Games. Her triumph was nothing short of dramatic, as she staged a powerful comeback from a six-point deficit against Choi Sebin of South Korea, securing the very first medal for her country at the Games. This victory marks Kharlan’s fifth Olympic medal, solidifying her status as a true champion. The roar of the ecstatic crowd at the Grand Palais amplified the significance of her win.
Kharlan’s journey to the Olympic podium was a testament to her resilience. She had been ousted in the Round of 32 at the Tokyo Games three years ago, but her determination propelled her back to the forefront of the fencing world. Her presence at the Paris Games was made possible by an invitation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This invitation came after Kharlan was disqualified for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent at last year’s World Championships in Milan. This bold act was a statement against the backdrop of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“This is for the athletes from my country who could not be here … and also for all the athletes who are here representing Ukraine,” Kharlan said, her voice brimming with pride, as she counted her five medals on her hands. “It may be bronze, but for me it’s gold. You don’t know how difficult it is to prepare and concentrate on the competition when you are at home, under attack, every day. “Where did I find the strength for a comeback against my Korean opponent? I am a Ukrainian. We have strength. We always have strength. We will always keep fighting.”
Beyond Kharlan’s triumph, the Paris Games saw other thrilling victories. Manon Apithy-Brunet, a French fencer, clinched the gold medal in the women’s sabre, defeating her compatriot Sara Balzer in an all-French final. In the men’s foil, Cheung Ka-long of Hong Kong continued his winning streak, securing back-to-back gold medals by defeating Italy’s Filippo Machhi.
