World fencing champion Vlada Kharkova declined to take a joint photo with Russian athlete Kirill Borodachov, who became the vice-champion in men's epee.

This was reported by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian not only showed strength in combat but also in her principles. Vlada refused to pose for a photo with the medalists from the first competition day, which included a representative from the aggressor nation.

She returned to the podium to capture the historic moment only after the ‘neutral athlete’ had left the awards stand.