Ukraine's first medal at the 2024 Olympics belongs to fencer Olga Kharlan, but she insists it's not just for herself.
Kharlan defeated South Korea's Choi Sebin 15-14, recovering from a six-point deficit, to claim the bronze medal in women's sabre fencing on Monday. She then dedicated the medal to her country amid its ongoing war with Russia.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“I brought a medal for my country, and it's my first one, and it's going to be a good start for all our athletes who are here because it's really hard to compete when your country is at war,” Kharlan told reporters after the match. “Every medal is like gold. I don't care if it's bronze. It's gold.”
Sebin Choi and Olga Kharlan compete in the women's sabre individual fencing bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
There are only 140 Ukrainian athletes at the Olympics, the smallest field in the country's history at the Summer Games, as hundreds have died during the war.
An exhibition of sports equipment has been set up in London's Parliament Square to honour the 487 Ukrainian athletes killed since the Russian invasion of the country.
Russia's war against Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, just days after the conclusion of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, has now lasted two years, five months and one week. It is a conflict that almost indirectly cost Kharlan the chance to compete at the Paris Olympics, if not for a “one-time exception.”
MEET THE 2024 U.S. OLYMPIC MEDALISTS: PHOTOS
During the 2023 World Fencing Championships, Kharlan was disqualified from the competition for refusing to shake the hand of a Russian opponent whom she had defeated. The disqualification put her Olympic ambitions in jeopardy, as the World Championships are a key Olympic qualifying event, as she also received a two-month ban.
However, the International Olympic Committee later granted him a “one-time exception” and guaranteed him a spot in Paris. Fencing’s governing body also overturned the disqualification and two-month ban, and even went so far as to approve an official rule declaring post-bout handshakes optional.
Olga Kharlan celebrates winning the bronze medal in the women's sabre fencing event at the Paris Olympics. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
The rulings allowed Kharlan to compete and win his country's first Olympic medal since the Russian invasion.
2024 OLYMPIC GAMES MEDAL COUNTER: STAY UP TO DATE WITH TEAM USA AND OTHER VICTORIES
“I can say that I wouldn't change anything,” Kharlan told reporters about her trip. “What I experienced represents my country, what's happening, and I wouldn't change anything. This is my story.”
Meanwhile, Russia will not win any Olympic medals in Paris.
Bronze medalist Olga Kharlan of Team Ukraine celebrates on the podium during the women's individual sabre medal ceremony at the Paris Olympics. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Because Russia invaded Ukraine just four days after the 2022 Winter Olympics ended, the International Olympic Committee considered the attack a violation of the Olympic Truce, a resolution that calls on all nations to lay down their arms and not engage in conflicts that begin a week before the Olympics begin and end a week after they end.
Because of this, Russian athletes are not allowed to represent their nation's flag in Paris, but can compete as “Neutral Individual Athletes.”
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
