Russian fencer Smirnova receives death threats after World Championship scandal
World Cup Incident — Harlan Sets a Saber, still from video
RIA Novosti reports that Russian saber fencer Anna Smirnova began to receive threats on social networks after the scandal that occurred at the World Championships.
The athlete closed the comments, as they began to write death wishes and threats to her.
Earlier on Thursday, Smirnova lost in the 1/32 finals of the World Championship Ukrainian Olga Kharlan. After the fight, the athletes were required to shake hands. However, Harlan did not let Anna come to her, putting her saber forward, and then completely left the track without shaking hands and violating the rules of the competition.
Smirnova waited for her opponent for almost an hour, since according to the rules the fight is considered completed only after a handshake.< /p>
Harlan did not return and was disqualified for this.