Reaching this point has not been easy. Kharlan, a 33-year-old Ukrainian fencer and four-time world champion, has two individual Olympic bronze medals and a team sabre gold from 2008. She has faced numerous challenges on her path to the Games. The athlete, who now resides in Italy, even contemplated retiring from the sport in December 2022.

This decision weighed heavily on her as she worried about her family's safety in Ukraine following the Russian invasion earlier that year. "I thought it was my fate not to go to the Olympics," she reflected. However, winning a bronze medal at the Grand Prix in Tunis in early 2023 rekindled her passion. "I thought I could do it and keep fighting. And, of course, a lot of support came from Ukraine," she shared during the European Championships in June. Kharlan emphasised the importance of her country's support, particularly from soldiers on the front lines.

Her Olympic aspirations faced another setback when she was disqualified at the World Championships for refusing to shake hands with her Russian opponent, Anna Smirnova. This incident cost her crucial qualifying points. Fortunately, the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, himself a former Olympic fencer, intervened. He offered Kharlan an automatic place in Paris, citing her "unique situation" and providing his "full support."

Despite these challenges, Kharlan remains determined. "In the end, it's not that bad," she said, reflecting on the ordeal. "But this was one of the worst days of my life. I was desperate; I had the worst cry of my life, for a couple of hours." Kharlan expressed a deep sense of powerlessness and emotional turmoil, feeling both anger and sorrow over the situation. Yet, her determination to compete and win for her country and family remains strong. "When the competitions come, you want so much to prove something, you want to win for your country, for your parents," she shared.

Kharlan's Olympic quest is further fuelled by the war's impact on her personal life. She has lost teammates to the conflict and often worries about her family in Mykolaiv, a city near the heavily contested Kherson region. At the onset of the war, Kharlan managed to bring her sister and nephew to safety in Italy, while her parents chose to stay behind. "My mum decided to stay with my dad because he was 59 years old and men under 60 could not leave," she explained, showcasing the resilience of her family's "Ukrainian soul and spirit."

Despite the constant threat, Kharlan makes an effort to visit Ukraine regularly, although the anxiety for her family's safety is a constant burden. "Sometimes, during the day I just don't look at my phone," she admitted, recounting the fear that grips her during moments of silence from her family. "It's like a lottery. Unfortunately, we get used to it."

As Kharlan prepares to compete in the individual sabre event on Monday, she carries not only the hopes of a nation but also the personal resolve to triumph in the face of adversity. Her journey to Paris is a testament to her unyielding spirit and the support of those who believe in her.