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Krystsina Tsimanouskaya. PA

Poland grants humanitarian visa to Belarus Olympic sprinter

Runner Krystsina Tsimanouskaya plans to seek political asylum in Poland.

LAST UPDATE | 2 Aug 2021

BELARUSIAN OLYMPIC SPRINTER Krystsina Tsimanouskaya plans to seek asylum in Poland, an activist group said today.

The athlete alleged that her team’s officials tried to force her to fly home – where she feared she wouldn’t be safe. Belarus’s autocratic government recently was accused of diverting a plane in order to arrest a dissident journalist.

Tsimanouskaya received a humanitarian visa from the Polish embassy in Tokyo, according to a Polish foreign ministry official.

The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) said the group has bought her a plane ticket to Warsaw for 4 August.

Stand-off

The current stand-off apparently began after Tsimanouskaya criticised how officials were managing her team, setting off a massive backlash in state-run media back home, where authorities relentlessly crack down on government critics.

Tsimanouskaya said on her Instagram account that she was put in the 4×400 relay even though she has never raced in the event.

Tsimanouskaya was then apparently hustled to the airport but refused to board a flight for Istanbul and instead approached police for help.

In a filmed message distributed on social media, she also asked the International Olympic Committee for assistance.

“I was put under pressure, and they are trying to forcibly take me out of the country without my consent,” the 24-year-old runner said in the message.

The rapid-fire series of events brought international political intrigue to Olympic Games that have been more focused on operational dramas, like maintaining safety during a pandemic and navigating widespread Japanese opposition to holding the event at all.

Dissent

Belarus’ authoritarian government has relentlessly targeted anyone even mildly expressing dissent since a presidential election a year ago triggered a wave of unprecedented mass protests.

And it has also gone to extremes to stop its critics, including the recent plane diversion that European officials called an act of air piracy.

In this context, Tsimanouskaya feared for her safety once she saw the campaign against her in state media, according to the sports foundation, which she also contacted for help.

“The campaign was quite serious and that was a clear signal that her life would be in danger in Belarus,” Alexander Opeikin, a spokesman for the BSSF, said.

PastedImage-28425 Twitter Twitter

Athletes seeking asylum at global sporting events is nothing new.

It was especially frequent during the Cold War but has also happened occasionally in the decades since.

As many as 117 athletes defected at the Munich Olympics in 1972, for instance, according to reports at the time.

At least four Romanians and a Soviet associated with the Olympics defected at the Montreal Games in 1976. And Cuban athletes have frequently done so.

Underscoring the seriousness of the allegations, several groups and countries say they are helping the runner.

Poland and the Czech Republic offered assistance, and Japan’s foreign ministry said it was working with the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo Olympics organisers.

The IOC, which has been in dispute with the Belarus National Olympic Committee ahead of the Tokyo Games, said it had intervened.

“The IOC … is looking into the situation and has asked the NOC for clarification,” it said in a statement.

Many critics of Belarus’ government have fled to Poland.

Deputy foreign minister Marcin Przydacz said on Twitter that Tsimanouskaya was granted a humanitarian visa today. “Poland will do whatever is necessary to help her to continue her sporting career. Poland always stands for Solidarity,” he said.

Outside the Polish embassy, two exiled Belarusian women who live in Tokyo offered the runner support.

They waved a flag that was a mix of the opposition’s banner and the Japanese flag.

Czech foreign minister Jakub Kulhanek also tweeted that the Czech Republic has offered her asylum.

“If she decides to accept it, we’ll do our maximum to help her,” he wrote.

2.15855805 President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko Tim Ireland / PA Tim Ireland / PA / PA

Barred

The Belarus National Olympic Committee has been led for more than 25 years by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and his son, Viktor.

Both Lukashenkos are banned from the Tokyo Olympics by the IOC, which investigated complaints from athletes that they faced reprisals and intimidation during the crackdown following the wave of anti-government protests over the last year.

A spokeswoman for the Belarus Olympic team did not respond to a request for comment.

In May, Belarusian authorities diverted a passenger plane to Minsk and pulled journalist and activist Raman Pratasevich and his Russian girlfriend off the flight.

The elder Lukashenko maintained that there was a bomb threat against the plane and that is why a fighter jet was scrambled to force it to land, but the move was roundly criticised by Western leaders.

Pratasevich, who ran a channel on a messaging app used to organise demonstrations against Mr Lukashenko’s rule, left his homeland in 2019.

He has been charged with fomenting mass unrest and is under house arrest while he awaits trial.

Amid today’s drama, Tsimanouskaya missed the Olympic 200-metre heats that she was due to participate in.

She already competed for Belarus on the first day of track events at the National Stadium in Tokyo. She placed fourth in her first-round heat in the 100 metres, timing 11.47 seconds, and did not advance.

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 8:28 AM

    @Kenneth Sheehy: Literally hundreds of athletes, mostly from oppressive regimes have defected from the Olympic games over the years. When you look at the current situation in Belarus who could blame her.

    734
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    Mute Adrian O'Donnell
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 4:54 PM

    @Frank Cauldhame: she’s off to poland now. Out of the frying pan, as they say. Guess who’s going home to Belarus soon..

    8
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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 8:30 AM

    The team officials who tried to forcibly repatriate her should be arrested.

    635
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    Mute Cian Nolan
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 8:43 AM

    @John Mulligan: I was thinking along similar lines. Tantamount to kidnapping I’d have thought.

    329
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    Mute Simon Dwyer
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 9:16 AM

    Belarus is becoming a dangerous country right now. I hope this athlete will be taking good care off.

    292
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    Mute Gordon Larney
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 8:30 AM

    Is she any good? If so, can we take her in?

    205
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    Mute Edmund Murphy
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 9:17 AM

    @Gordon Larney: we should take her in anyway. They will torture her. The leader of the democratic opposition in Belarus already spends some of her time safe in Tipperary. We have already picked a side in this.

    328
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    Mute John Buckley
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 10:28 AM

    @Edmund Murphy: yeah, give yourself a pat on the back, one short visit to Tipp in 18years really is a valuable amount of safe time for her. Lithuania gives her a safe home but where is their grandstanding

    108
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    Mute This time its personable!
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 11:54 AM

    @John Buckley: would you stop isn’t that literally identical to what he said, I can’t see any difference in meaning!!!

    35
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    Mute Daithi De Roiste
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 2:42 PM

    @Edmund Murphy: it’s amazing how there is a similiar story in Bulgaria, people protesting in the streets to get rid of their current leader who has had control for years. But that’s okay because it’s part of the EU ffs

    10
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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 3:46 PM

    @Daithi De Roiste: is thst the same as grounding a plane to arrest a journalist, kidnapping an athlete? I’m not sure of the situation in Bulgaria but we have protests here against the government and its definitely not the same as Belarus

    17
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    Mute Daithi De Roiste
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 4:03 PM

    @Dave O’Keeffe: it all starts somewhere Dave. It starts smalls and the more they get away with the more they push.

    10
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    Mute EillieEs
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    Aug 3rd 2021, 3:36 AM

    @Daithi De Roiste: similar story in Bulgaria? Their Olympians seeking political asylum due to fears for their lives if they return to their homes?

    2
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    Mute edward
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 10:03 AM

    No EU asylum for Assange or Snowden though.

    153
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    Mute Paul Clancy
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 1:08 PM

    @edward: completely different situations

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    Mute A Well Known Comical Stereotype
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 2:09 PM

    @Paul Clancy: Assange deserves protection, too.

    60
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    Mute Niall Gannon
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 10:46 AM

    I’m sure Coveney cud make another “genuine mistake” and make her a special envoy to emmmm…… track development skills or something as watery as that. And we’ll all stand back and applaud

    101
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    Mute Marko
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 11:04 AM

    @Niall Gannon: get a life

    138
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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 1:42 PM

    @Marko: him and a few others of his ilk. And they all whinge about getting their freedom back here thanks to our oppressive regime.

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    Mute JustMeHere
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 2:14 PM

    @Niall Gannon: should change your surname to Gammon.

    16
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    Mute JustBEERbarry
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 1:53 PM

    Imagine how bad Belarus is if Poland is taking the high moral ground

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    Mute Séan Ó Nuanáin
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 2:11 PM

    Well done to Poland. The world needs to speak up against Belarus and put a stop to their humanitarian offences, before it gets out of hand

    71
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    Mute JustBEERbarry
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 4:28 PM

    @Séan Ó Nuanáin: Poland? Haha, good one.

    9
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    Mute artur fil
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 4:40 PM

    @JustBEERbarry: What is your problem with Poland? Did your girlfriend left you for better looking polish boyfriend?

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    Mute B Collins
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 6:12 PM

    @artur fil: Polish govt fairly well has it in for the LGBT community there. Mad that they’ve suddenly stepped up to be human rights heroes.

    15
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    Mute artur fil
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 6:53 PM

    @B Collins: She has been offered asylum in Poland after fearing for her safety in Belarus.
    Do you always have to bring LGBT stuff in to it.
    I lived in Poland believe me gay and lesbian are safe there. Don’t read to much main stream media.

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    Mute JustBEERbarry
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 7:01 PM

    @artur fil: I work with poles and have worked with poles in the past, your country isn’t one to be looked to in times of humanitarian crisis. Get your own house in order.

    8
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    Mute JustBEERbarry
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 7:02 PM

    @artur fil: no sorry, my wife isn’t attracted to stone wash denim from 1982.

    11
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    Mute artur fil
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 7:43 PM

    @JustBEERbarry: She must in dirty tracksuits and Canada goose than.

    24
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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 9:31 AM

    She refused go plane back to her Belarus that she fear her life would be dangerous cos regime president something to her . She safe there

    73
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    Mute Gary Donlan
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 9:48 AM

    @Brian Flavin: Well put

    281
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    Mute Alan Byrne
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 10:25 AM

    @Garreth mc mahon: I might be wrong, but I believe Brian is deaf, so how he writes in a language that is mostly learned by hearing will be different to someone so clever as you.

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 11:42 AM

    @Garreth mc mahon: huh?

    13
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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 11:44 AM

    @John Hayes: what?

    9
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    Mute Togs
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 12:49 PM

    @Brian Flavin: disregard them Brian.. I think theyre on the gargle this morn..

    39
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    Mute trebloc01
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 2:13 PM

    Her husband got out fast and is in Kiev. Lucky man.

    52
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    Mute Jonathan O'Riordan
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 9:56 AM

    Any word from the “honorary “ consul here in Wicklow?

    36
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    Mute ed w
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 10:38 AM

    maybe she loves her country and wants to represent it. unfortunately the regime in Belarus doesnt allow it.

    36
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    Mute #1 Fifthwheel
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 10:02 AM

    Sure the Irish government can offer her asylum. We are famous for being a humanitarian nation, are we not?

    42
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    Mute Paul Tao
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 12:50 PM

    @#1 Fifthwheel: Ireland should offer asylum. And yes, Ireland has an excellent track record of humanitarian assistance to Belarusians – particularly through the Chernobyl Children’s charity, as Belarus was devastated by the fallout.

    81
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    Mute Andrew Keane
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 6:33 PM

    @Paul Tao: we’re famous for that alright, but there is an increasingly vocal group against welcoming any refugees.

    9
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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 2:04 PM

    Glad that she has options now. Great that she stayed alert to the situation instead of going back quietly.

    21
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    Mute trebloc01
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 1:24 PM

    Any news from her family in Belarus?

    18
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    Mute ed w
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 6:54 PM

    @trebloc01: husband has gone to ukraine

    8
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    Mute Daithi De Roiste
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 2:38 PM

    The heading 12 months later ” Poland deports Belarussian athlete for being lesbian”

    17
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    Mute artur fil
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 3:47 PM

    @Daithi De Roiste: Yes 25 lesbian and gays has been executed in Poland last year.

    19
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    Mute Peter Bell
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 10:20 PM

    @artur fil: wow,killed for m..f diving.

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    Mute Daithi De Roiste
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 11:30 PM

    @artur fil: aweful!

    1
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    Mute Brian Nevin
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 6:42 PM

    Hopefully she’s not flying with Ryanair

    18
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    Mute Anthony Doyle
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 11:16 PM

    @Brian Nevin: no Polish or Kerry airlines as they’ll never find Belarus

    1
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    Mute Pierce Ryan
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    Aug 2nd 2021, 10:27 PM

    A day in the life of Tsimanouskaya,,hope she gets all the help she needs.

    4
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