Kryscina Cimanouska, a Belarusian sprinter, was barred from participating in the Olympics after criticizing Belarusian sports officials. On Tuesday, the runner was interviewed by the AP agency. – I want to safely reach Europe, meet the people who helped me and decide what to do next – she said. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki spoke with Cimanouska. He assured that the athlete “can count on support and solidarity from Poland”.
The Belarusian athlete Kryscina Cimanouska announced on Sunday that in connection with the criticism of the actions of the sports authorities of her country, she was excluded from participating in the Gamesand the officers tried to force her to leave for Belarus. After Poland offered her help, the player went to the Polish embassy in Tokyo. Sprinterka received a Polish humanitarian visa.
Cimanouska gave an interview
Cimanouska was interviewed by the AP agency. – I would like to continue my sports career, but now the most important thing is safety – said the Belarusian sprinter. – Now I want to safely reach Europe, meet the people who helped me and decide what to do next. I would love to continue my sports career, because I am only 24 years old and I have planned at least two more starts at the Olympics. Now, however, the only thing I worry about is my safety – she emphasized.
Belarusian sports officials, she said, “made her understand that she would face some kind of punishment upon her return home.” According to her account, “there were also veiled hints that something more awaited her.”
Cimanouska also said she hoped the sports officials who made the decision to oust her from the Olympics and tried to force her to go to Belarus will be held responsible or that “an investigation will be carried out to establish who gave the order, have made the decision that I can’t take off. “
At the same time, she stressed that the athletes “are not to blame for anything and there should be no penalties for them.”
Kryscin CimanouskaISSEI KATO / Reuters / Forum
Morawiecki spoke with Cimanouska
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki informed in an entry in social media that he had talked with Cimanouska. He assured her that she was well cared for and safe.
“I assured her that she can count on support and solidarity from Poland. In the coming days she will fly to Warsaw, where she will be able to develop without any obstacles and, if she expresses such a will, she will receive further help” – wrote the head of the government.
“Helping the athlete is an important and necessary gesture, also in order to publicize what is happening beyond our eastern border on the international arena. Poland will continue to actively support the entire Belarusian nation and the persecuted opposition activists” – added Morawiecki. “We will not leave you alone!” – he assured.
Main photo source: ISSEI KATO / Reuters / Forum