Krystsina Tsimanouskaya: Belarusian athlete who fled Lukashenko becomes 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 put up on Instagram, the 25-year-old confirmed that she had formally grow to be a Polish citizen in late June.

"Final Saturday was the Polish Group Championships the place I gained the person 100m and our crew got here second," Tsimanouskaya wrote.

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

"I am wanting ahead to representing Poland on the worldwide stage, however for now, I might wish to thank everybody who has helped me on this most tough 12 months for me," she added.

Tsimanouskaya grew to become a logo of Belarusian dissidents when she refused orders to return to her nation of start after criticising the nation's athletics federation.

The athlete stated 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 underneath a humanitarian visa, she has labored to assist different Belarusian athletes who've wished to depart the nation.

Tsimanouskaya can't but characterize 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 have the ability to 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 will likely be for all Belarusians and for our freedom," she wrote on social media.

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Watch Euronews' 2021 interview with Tsimanouskaya

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

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