The Belarusian sprinter who defected after refusing to go house from the Tokyo Olympics says she has been given Polish citizenship.
Krystsina Tsimanouskaya sought asylum in Poland after defying orders to go away Japan throughout final summer season’s postponed video games.
In a submit on Instagram, the 25-year-old confirmed that she had formally develop into a Polish citizen in late June.
“Final Saturday was the Polish Workforce Championships the place I received the person 100m and our workforce got here second,” Tsimanouskaya wrote.
“It was my first official competitors through 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 symbolize … with none obstacles.
“I am wanting ahead to representing Poland on the worldwide stage, however for now, I would wish to thank everybody who has helped me on this most tough 12 months for me,” she added.
Tsimanouskaya grew to become an emblem of Belarusian dissidents when she refused orders to return to her nation of delivery 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 beneath a humanitarian visa, she has labored to assist different Belarusian athletes who’ve wished to go away the nation.
Tsimanouskaya can not but symbolize 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 is going to be capable 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 might 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 help of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
