In fencing, Ukraine won its first gold medal at the Paris Olympics. The third since the start of the competitions, and the second for icon Olga Kharlan. Narrowly saved for the Olympics after her disqualification from the World Championships for refusing to shake the hand of a Russian opponent, the 33-year-old sabre fencer dominated the competition. Although there were four of them fighting, it was Olga Kharlan who was the focus of all the spotlights, a true icon and symbol of resistance for an entire country.
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A final touch to complete the masterpiece of Olga Kharlan, imperial during all her relays. It is she, like a symbol, who offers victory to Ukraine. The yellow and blue flags are out in the stands.
Led 40-37, and pushed by a country and the ” Olga » shouted by the 8,000 spectators, she erased the three touches of delay. The last brushstrokes of a final with the appearance of a masterpiece deserving exhibition in this Grand Palais des Beaux-arts: the quadruple world champion scored almost half of her team’s touches (22) for only ten conceded.
” I was waiting for this, it was my dream. I am from Odessa. I love her! She is a very beautiful woman. There is strength, it brings joy because we need joy “, rejoices Olga, who came to support the fencer.
” Ukraine is fighting »
A hymn to joy for another Olga. The native of Mykolaiv, not far from Kherson and the front line, was on a mission and had a message to convey.
” All our medals are for those who defend our country. For our families who remained in Ukraine. This is a message to the whole world: Ukraine is fighting, and it is possible to win. And all the athletes who represent us are heroes. ” she says.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated the Ukrainian team following their victory. I thank them for their result, and their spirit, to show that Ukrainians can win. ” he wrote on his social networks.
A heroine who even has a Barbie in her image, saber in hand, in Ukraine.
A marketing ploy by his manager, Yuri. She is the symbol of all Ukraine, especially since the World Championships. She refused to shake hands with a Russian opponent, and was disqualified, he specifies. And now she is the only Ukrainian woman to have won six Olympic medals. She is a legend! »
A legend that surpasses another, since it surpasses the swimmer Jana Klotchkova and her five medals. Queen Olga has definitely succeeded in her fight.
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