Aliaksandra Herasimenia: We See the Whole Rotted System in Belarusian Sports

The reaction of the Belarusian authorities to the position of Krystsina Tsimanouskaya is revenge.

The head of the community of independent athletes of Belarus, Aliaksandra Herasimenia, is sure that it is unsafe for the athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya to return home now.

- They have now raised all their strength to “pull the strings” on all the family and friends, - the titled athlete commented on the situation to the Voice of America. - But we understand that the return of Krystsina will not resolve this issue. And if she comes back, we can imagine what they can do to her. Of course, she will not remain free.

Let us remind you that Tsimanouskaya is now in complete safety at the Polish consulate in Japan.

Herasimenia considers the incident with her to be a natural consequence of the unprofessionalism of Belarusian sports officials.

- We see the whole rotted system in Belarusian sports. We see that the main leadership positions are occupied by people who do not have the appropriate qualifications. This is the result of unskilled work: the leadership did not work, and now they are simply trying to shift the blame on the athlete, - said the head of the community of independent athletes in Belarus.

She believes that the reaction of the Belarusian authorities to the position of Krystsina Tsimanouskaya is revenge:

- Krystsina was rightly indignant when she, an athlete who participates in the Olympic Games, and this is not the championship of the court and not even the championship of the republic, was actually forced to participate in a type of program in which she absolutely does not qualify.

Her forcible departure from the Olympic Village and her removal from the Olympic program is just revenge for the fact that she dared to voice this problem publicly, - Herasimenia said.

As a result, a petition was submitted to the IOC Arbitration Court to revoke accreditation, the opportunity to participate in international competitions, and hold positions for everyone involved in the pressure on Krystsina Tsimanouskaya and the attempt to force her to leave.

- We hope that the IOC will react right during the Olympic Games and deport people who were involved in discrimination and psychological violence, and I think that further sanctions will follow after the end of the Olympic Games, - Aliaksandra Herasimenia summed up.