Alexandra Gerasimenya On The IOC's Decision: What Is The Point Of Lifting These Sanctions?

The crackdown continues, and people remain in prison.

Multiple world and European swimming champion and three-time Olympic medalist Alexandra Gerasimenya shared her thoughts on the air "An Ordinary Morning" her opinion on the International Olympic Committee's recommendation to lift restrictions on Belarusian athletes.

– As an athlete, I fully understand that every athlete wants to reach their peak in their career, and they don’t have the option to take a break from it. If you stop, then, in principle, you’re too late—you’ve missed your chance.

And as an athlete, I fully understand those athletes who are currently in Belarus, who want to compete, continue their athletic careers, and be the best.

But let’s look at the situation more broadly. Let’s look at what’s happening in Belarus.

Have the repressions stopped? Has anything changed? Do those people who are sitting in prisons for their stance—and some of whom may have even ended up there by accident—deserve to be there?

After all, that is precisely why sanctions are imposed—so that these people have the opportunity to be released. We understand perfectly well what is happening in our country. We can clearly see how people are being exploited—including those who are in prison.

And, of course, for me, this decision is simply appalling. The repression hasn’t stopped; people are still in prison. What is the point of lifting these sanctions? What has changed in our country?

– Well, they weren’t imposed because of the repression. Official quote: “It is impossible to ensure security at tournaments involving the national teams of Belarus and Russia.”

– And who actually imposed any sanctions against Russia for launching an aggression against Ukraine and Belarus being involved in it? There were ways to do so.

Okay, did anyone impose sanctions because there was repression in Belarus, because people were suffering? No. Everyone found some other pretext: the plane was forced to land, or something even more global. No one could clearly and specifically say that our country is destroying its own people.

Everyone was very concerned, but no one ever actually imposed sanctions specifically for that reason. And naturally, how can they impose sanctions on something they’re even afraid to voice? – said Gerasimenya.

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