Author Topic: Belarus Olympics: Krystsina Tsimanouskaya refuses 'forced' flight home  (Read 361 times)

Offline Gikomba_Hawker

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She says she was "put under pressure" by team officials to return home and asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for help.

"They are trying to get me out of the country without my permission," she said in a video posted on the Telegram channel of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), a group that supports athletes jailed or sidelined for their political views.

...Government forces brutally cracked down after hundreds of thousands protested about the election. Some of those who took part were also national-level athletes, who were stripped of funding, cut from national teams and detained for demonstrating.

Ms Tsimanouskaya is now said to be considering seeking asylum in Europe.

Several countries, including the Czech Republic and Poland, have said they are ready to offer her a visa and protection.

But the sprinter remains "frightened" about her family's safety, Mr Kotau of the BSSF told the BBC.

"She's afraid of repression on her family in Belarus - this is the main concern for her right now," he said.

Belarus Olympics: Krystsina Tsimanouskaya refuses 'forced' flight home
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58046183
Don't steal. The Uhuruto Government hates competition.