Krystsina Tsimanouskaya: Belarusian athlete who fled Lukashenko turns into Polish citizen

The Belarusian sprinter who defected after refusing to go dwelling from the Tokyo Olympics says she has been given Polish citizenship.

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya sought asylum in Poland after defying orders to depart Japan throughout final summer season’s postponed video games.

In a publish on Instagram, the 25-year-old confirmed that she had formally turn out to be a Polish citizen in late June.

“Final Saturday was the Polish Crew Championships the place I received the person 100m and our staff got here second,” Tsimanouskaya wrote.

“It was my first official competitors by which I took half not as a Belarusian however as a Polish girl. Lastly, after such a very long time I can exit on the monitor and signify … with none obstacles.

“I am trying ahead to representing Poland on the worldwide stage, however for now, I might wish to thank everybody who has helped me on this most troublesome yr for me,” she added.

Tsimanouskaya turned an emblem of Belarusian dissidents when she refused orders to return to her nation of beginning after criticising the nation’s athletics federation.

The athlete mentioned that she had “feared for her life” after she refused to take part in an occasion that she had not educated for.

The incident prompted the Worldwide Olympic Committee to launch an investigation.

Since defecting to Poland together with her husband below a humanitarian visa, she has labored to assist different Belarusian athletes who’ve wished to depart the nation.

Tsimanouskaya can not but signify Poland in worldwide competitions with out approval from the World Athletics Federation.

The 25-year-old has expressed hope that, after three years of authorized residence in Poland, she’s going to be capable of compete for her new nation on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

“Even when I get on the rostrum as a Pole, let everybody know that the medals can be for all Belarusians and for our freedom,” she wrote on social media.

Belarus has been banned from competing at most worldwide sports activities occasions for its assist of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.