Aliaksandra Herasimenia: We Must Fight

Change starts small.

Three-time Olympic medalist Aliaksandra Herasimenia in 2012 and 2016 received the Order of the Fatherland of the III degree and the Order of Honor; for many years, she was invited to state TV. And in 2021, after she publicly condemned the violence and violation of democratic freedoms in Belarus and became the head of the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against the athlete and put her on the wanted list.

In a frank monologue, Aliaksandra Herasimenia told tut.by how she left Belarus in October and adapted to life in emigration in six months, what patriotism means to her and why the initiated criminal case does not frighten her.

Patriotism and proposals to change citizenship

- I have always treated the performances for Belarus with great responsibility. I cannot say that I experienced any special feelings from the sounds of the anthem - I was rather motivated by thousands of Belarusians who watched the competition on TV and cheered for me. No matter how pretentious it may sound, but, thanks to them, I clearly knew that I had no right to perform badly, not at the maximum effort, or give myself slack.

It has always been important for me to represent exactly Belarus, although there were proposals to change citizenship before the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. They called me to play for Russia and Turkey, so I could even choose.

But, firstly, I did not want to leave Belarus either physically or psychologically because I always understood: only here is my home. And wherever I was, I wanted to go back. Probably, this is what patriotism is for me.

And secondly, the moral and ethical moment worked: I was raised by Belarusian professionals, they cared and cherished me - and I just leave. How could I? I could not imagine this, even though the proposals to change citizenship from a financial point of view were very tempting. But, in order not to be "lured," I always answered them with a certain "no."

Best time in career and state orders

- I realized that I am serious about swimming by the age of 15-16. Even then, I competed at the world level, showed high results, fought for medals, and felt: I do not want another, unsportsmanlike future for myself.

In 2001, I went to my first adult "world" after my triumph in youthful Europe, where I won three gold medals. I was only 15 years old. I remember that I stopped a step away from the final at that world championship: due to my own stupidity and inexperience, I missed the touch. But, since then, I have been seen as an athlete ready to fight world-class athletes.

Although, to be honest, at that time, I was not driven by any medals, results, Olympics... It was a magical time, youth, when you could just enjoy the process itself. I ran to the pool and did not worry about which competitions are next on the calendar.

It was all the same to me whether to compete in the republican championship or the world championship. I was worried in the same way, or maybe even a little more at the Belarusian championship: there my relatives were rooting for me - I didn't want to lose my face (smiles). It was that time that I remember as the golden one in my career. I just went out, swam without any burden of responsibility and unnecessary expectations.

After the World Championship in Shanghai 2011, which I won, and the Olympic Games in London 2012, everyone was expecting only medals from me. Two awards from the London Olympics made me recognizable in Belarus. There were many offers, invitations to television, and events as a guest of honor. I was expected in many pools of the country.

And even then, at the age of 26, I understood that the task of every athlete is not only to win medals but also to share their experience, popularize sports and motivate people to do it. I was glad that I could share my successes with others. I remember that my coach Alena Klimava was very nervous because I wasted a lot of effort and energy on going to broadcasts, master classes, and meetings.

But I was sure that it was not in vain. And today I know for sure that at least several hundred children have appeared in Belarus, who, thanks to those meetings, came to swimming.

Of course, at the peak of my career, I was honored at the highest state level. After the Olympics in 2012, I was awarded the Order of the Fatherland, III degree, after Rio, I received the Order of Honor. One of the two - I don't remember exactly - was handed to me personally by Lukashenka.

Then I was quite calm about receiving state awards, taking it as a recognition of my sporting success, nothing more. Although today we see that awards are given out for completely different "merits." Those who find themselves at the right time and in the right place also become order-bearers.

Departure from Belarus and criminal case

- How does it feel to transform from a medal bearer into a wanted criminal? It's very honorable (smiles). As we joke, if you are a criminal or a prisoner today, then you are a good person, no matter how ridiculous it may sound. I have no fear or grief over the fact that they opened a criminal case against me and put me on the wanted list. I feel the support of my people, and this gives me confidence that everything is not in vain, and we are doing everything right.

From the very beginning, from the August events, I knew for sure that I wanted to be useful. Therefore, the decision to head the Sports Solidarity Fund was not difficult or strong-willed - it was natural for me. It wasn't enough for me to sit and do nothing. I understood that I had to fight, defend my opinion and the opinions of other people.

Why didn't I choose the “don't get involved” position? Because I would be ashamed to look my child in the eyes. Someone may say that you can stay on the sidelines and save your nerves, but everything worked the other way around for me: I felt better only after I expressed my position. In silence, I would reproach myself for the rest of my life.

I agreed to be the head of the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund in one day. It took no longer.

Although I will not tell you now that I was not scared. Of course, I was. Before leaving Belarus, I told about my decision only to my father and husband in order to save the nerves of the others and not raise a wave of noise. Dad and Zhenya [Tsurkin] supported me.

When I crossed the border with Lithuania by car, I thought to the last: "Now they will stop me and detain me." Now I remember it with a smile, but then, in October, I was very nervous: my hands were shaking, thoughts were spinning in my head, "what if they understood everything." But in the end, I was released without any problems with several suitcases of warm clothes.

And immediately I had such a sigh of relief, you know? In Belarus, I was constantly on the lookout; before going out with my child, I cleaned chats in instant messengers and kept my phone with me, thinking who to call so that they would pick up my daughter in case of my arrest. I left the house and did not know if I would return. This is not normal.

When I was already in Lithuania, I finally felt: everything is fine, I am safe. But at first, the habit of looking around still remained.

And I can't imagine the psychological state of the Belarusians today, who are still fighting for their right and word inside the country. This is colossal stress.

I do not blame those who left because each person makes his own decision. Personally, I left not so much to feel safe as to change something. I knew that they wouldn't let me do this in Belarus.

Vilnius and another life in exile

- My life has changed in six months. In Vilnius, they helped me find an apartment. This is an ordinary, no-frills rented apartment where we live with my daughter. Safia came to me a little later, when I settled down a bit. She is still little, so it would be hard for her without her mother. Yes, and it is much easier for me when a loved one is around.

In terms of everyday life, I feel comfortable in Vilnius, I have no complaints. But all the same, I really want to go home. I often remember the streets of Minsk, the parks in which we walked, the view from the window, which I admired when I drank tea in the morning. It seems to me that I even breathe differently in Belarus (smiles).

During this time, I realized that I could adapt to life in another country and adapt to everything, but once again, I was convinced that I did not want to do this. I want to go home, and I wait for when it will be possible.

I believe that when we can come to Belarus, the “political” criminal cases initiated after August 2020 will be canceled and compensated for moral damage. At the moment, I feel calm in Vilnius, knowing that the neighboring countries support us and guarantee our security.

But it hurts me for the people who suffer in Belarus. There was a period when I even stopped reading the news for a while so as not to be in a depressive state non-stop. And it helped.

Today I try to distract myself from the agenda at least sometimes: walks with my daughter, light literature, meeting with friends in a narrow circle, and training with Safia with the #TeamOfHealthyLifestyles contribute to this.

The guys and I hold weekly exercises with Natallia Navazhylava, self-defense master classes, share our victories and defeats in streams. And from May 1, we plan to start training in the fresh air.

I really want Belarusians to become a healthy nation and not to occupy the leading positions in alcohol consumption per capita. After all, we have it as usual: something did not work out - you need to drink or smoke. But why not eat an apple instead or squat 10 times (smiles). Change starts small.