Ex-Presidential Candidate: The Tsimanouskaya Scandal Reminds of the Regime's Agony

The Tokyo incident hits the illegitimate authorities with new force.

The scandal around Belarusian runner Krystsina Tsimanouskaya shows that the atmosphere in society is escalating.

Ex-presidential candidate Uladzimir Hancharyk told this to the BP website:

- Developments remind of the regime's agony. To commit such lawlessness in a country that pretends democratic neither corresponds to the Constitution nor our realities. Any incident, any event turns into a scandal. I mean the scandal around Krystsina Tsimanouskaya. I don't want to comment on whether she is guilty or not, whether she is right or wrong for not running someone else's distance. But the head of any team is always responsible for the well-being of the team. Athletes in the Olympic team are always under pressure - responsibility, willingness to perform at their best, external pressure. The coaches forced her to run a different distance - the athlete refused. There is a conflict.

Who should resolve this conflict? An athlete could have a nervous breakdown at such a level of responsibility. The problem should have been solved quietly and on the spot. No, the athlete refused, she was affronted, and she took that step. Many questions, especially minor ones, shall be solved on the spot; there are doctors and psychologists in the Olympic team. It is an indication that any small matter turns into a big problem.

Everything that is being done in Belarus will cause a negative reaction of the world community.

The question is not to the athlete. It would be wise to stop and think it over: why all this is happening around a normal good country. I am not talking about the state but the country. It is time to stop, to come to one's senses and make more reasonable decisions. Even if Lukashenka is trying to stay in power. Every such event only aggravates the situation, strikes at the "legitimacy" of the authorities. Society is accumulating negativity. It is not the best option for the authorities. And the economy will also have its say: it will not be possible to put a good face.