Post by Admin on Aug 4, 2021 20:31:23 GMT
Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya took refuge in Poland on Wednesday after refusing to return to her authoritarian homeland from the Tokyo Olympics in a saga reminiscent of Cold War sporting defections.
The 24-year-old athlete's case could further isolate Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is under Western sanctions after a crackdown on opponents since last year.
Tsimanouskaya caused a furore on Sunday when she said coaches angry at her criticism had ordered her to pack and go to the airport. She refused to board a flight home and sought protection from Japanese police.
Poland, which has long been critical of Lukashenko and harboured many activists from Belarus, has granted her and her husband humanitarian visas.
"She needs to rest. She is tired but happy to be in Poland. She will stay in Poland in a safe place," Polish deputy foreign minister Marcin Przydacz told Reuters.
Some Belarusians waited at Warsaw airport, holding signs of resistance: carnations and flags in red-and-white.
"We are here to support our compatriot, who told the truth about what is happening in Belarusian sport," said Eugene Dudkin, a 31-year-old student, who left for Poland after being held for a night at a police station for protesting.
Warsaw-based Belarusian opposition politician Pavel Latushko tweeted a picture with Tsimanouskaya. "We hope that the agony of the regime will soon end, and Kristina will be able to return to conquering new sports peaks in the New Belarus!" he said.
The sprinter, who had criticised negligence by her team coaches, spent two nights in Poland's embassy in Japan before flying to Poland via the Austrian capital Vienna.
She sported sunglasses with the words "I RUN CLEAN".
Belarusian opposition politician Pavel Latushka poses with Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who left the Olympic Games in Tokyo and seeks for asylum in Poland, on her arrival to Warsaw, Poland August 4, 2021. TWITTER/@pavellatushka via Reuters
The 24-year-old athlete's case could further isolate Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is under Western sanctions after a crackdown on opponents since last year.
Tsimanouskaya caused a furore on Sunday when she said coaches angry at her criticism had ordered her to pack and go to the airport. She refused to board a flight home and sought protection from Japanese police.
Poland, which has long been critical of Lukashenko and harboured many activists from Belarus, has granted her and her husband humanitarian visas.
"She needs to rest. She is tired but happy to be in Poland. She will stay in Poland in a safe place," Polish deputy foreign minister Marcin Przydacz told Reuters.
Some Belarusians waited at Warsaw airport, holding signs of resistance: carnations and flags in red-and-white.
"We are here to support our compatriot, who told the truth about what is happening in Belarusian sport," said Eugene Dudkin, a 31-year-old student, who left for Poland after being held for a night at a police station for protesting.
Warsaw-based Belarusian opposition politician Pavel Latushko tweeted a picture with Tsimanouskaya. "We hope that the agony of the regime will soon end, and Kristina will be able to return to conquering new sports peaks in the New Belarus!" he said.
The sprinter, who had criticised negligence by her team coaches, spent two nights in Poland's embassy in Japan before flying to Poland via the Austrian capital Vienna.
She sported sunglasses with the words "I RUN CLEAN".
Belarusian opposition politician Pavel Latushka poses with Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who left the Olympic Games in Tokyo and seeks for asylum in Poland, on her arrival to Warsaw, Poland August 4, 2021. TWITTER/@pavellatushka via Reuters