Yelena Leuchanka: Belarusians Are Strong Partisans

More than half a million people may come out again in Minsk one day.

Famous basketball player Yelena Leuchanka, signatory of the letter of free athletes is speaking about the decision of the International Olympic Committee not to recognize Viktar Lukashenka as the Chairman of the NOC, the happiest day after August 9, and the Belarusian dream, Radio Svaboda website writes.

On non-recognition of Viktar Lukashenka as Chairman of the NOC of Belarus by the International Olympic Committee

- I'm not the kind of person to laugh and say that they got what they deserved. You need to take everything responsibly. The elections to the NOC were primitive and predictable. It seems that they were reliving the August events again, when the CEC announced the final figures. Coach Kazeka introduced two of our representatives to the NOC, which was completely ignored. It's funny to talk about some fair elections, as well as about candidates. It feels like people just changed places. I think that they did not react responsibly when the International Olympic Committee spoke about repressed athletes, about sanctions, about the fact that they are watching the NOC of Belarus. They didn’t take it seriously, and the IOC didn’t leave it that way.

About the women's revolution in Belarus, and the women behind bars

- I am proud to be Belarusian. We have wonderful women. I took part in women's marches, I know how many of our strong women are in prison now. I can't imagine what women are currently going through behind bars. I myself was there for two weeks. And Natallia Hershe, my cellmate, was sentenced to two and a half years. There is so much power, so much positive vibe in her letters. I would like to wish all these women strength. They already have it. They are unbelievable and strong. We want to be in solidarity with all these women. The main thing is to let them know that they are not alone, that they have great support. This is the most important thing now. I admire people who sacrifice their freedom for the truth.

How she herself has changed in 7 months

- Everything changed this summer when I saw what nation I am a part of. You start to be proud that you are Belarusian. I saw wonderful people, I was jailed with talented, educated women. And I changed all the time when I looked at my country, at the people, at our solidarity. This has never happened before. The whole world admires us. Previously, I did not pay attention to many things, went in for sports, played for the country. And now I am living it all. For me, there is nothing more important than the struggle for our freedom, for the opportunity to be free and happy, to express my opinion and not be afraid that they will come for me. I am proud of our people. I had tremendous support. When I was in prison, new women came to the cell and told how people walked with my photos at the march. Now I am in Greece, trying to give interviews to international media about the situation in Belarus as much as possible.

About one day without repressions

- We will never be different. The more repression there is, the more people will resist. Perhaps this will not be the protest that was in the summer. But I say: give us one day without repressions, and let's see how many of us there are. I am convinced that it will not be 100, not 200, not 300, not 400 thousand and not half a million, but more. In Minsk alone.

The best and worst day in the past 7 months

- My happiest day was August 16th. I felt tremendous strength, energy, solidarity at the first march. I remember the eyes of people looking at each other with admiration, respect and honor. This has never happened before, I have never seen this. I saw it that day, and I will never forget it.

The nastiest days were in jail when I missed the marches. The worst day was when Raman Bandarenka was killed. It's hard when people are imprisoned for long terms. I am very worried about this, but I try not to focus on the bad, but see good and positive things, since there are plenty of them. We are so strong when we are together. The regime wants us to be separate in order to intimidate us. The most important is to stick together and support each other, when things become difficult.

About a peaceful revolution as a marathon, not a sprint

- I knew then that there would be a marathon. And the marathon is good, because we would not be the same as we are now. Any situation needs to be lived through, felt, and this will fix the core, the root, in order to withstand in the future. We have lived with this for 26 years, so everything cannot be fast. Athletes understand what a marathon is. We've had injuries, we know what recovery is, it takes time to get back in shape. We know what it is to get in shape. This is also a marathon. Most of the road has been covered. Everyone is waiting for spring, changes, that people will come out. Even if they do not come out because of severe repressions, each of us can do our job. No wonder our grandfathers were partisans. Belarusians are strong partisans ... We will constantly tell the regime that we do not want and will not return to the state in which we used to be.

About the life in Greece, and the Belarusian dream

- We have not started the championship in Greece yet because of the pandemic. Every day I wake up and immediately read news from Belarus. Recently there was an WNBA All-Star game, and I didn't watch it. All my attention is focused on my country, on the people, on support. My dream is a free country and change. Sometimes even I find it difficult, but I believe that we will succeed. My dream is to be free. When I was in prison with women, I was proud because I was there for freedom. I am fighting for the freedom of my country so that we, my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are free. We don't want to live in this anymore. And young people who have known a single president for 26 years do not want to live like this anymore. And I dream of returning to free Belarus as soon as possible.