Krystsina Tsimanouskaya

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Krystsina Tsimanouskaya
Tsimanouskaya at the 2019 Summer Universiade
Personal information
Born (1996-11-19) 19 November 1996 (age 27)
Klimavichy, Mogilev Region, Belarus
Height168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Weight61.5 kg (136 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)100 m, 200 m
ClubBFST Dynamo
Medal record
Representing  Belarus
European Games
Silver medal – second place 2019 Minsk team event
Summer Universiade
Gold medal – first place 2019 Naples 200 metres
European Athletics U23 Championships
Silver medal – second place 2017 Bydgoszcz 100 metres

Krystsina Siarheyeuna Tsimanouskaya[a] (Belarusian: Крысціна Сяргееўна Ціманоўская, Łacinka: Kryscina Siarhiejeŭna Cimanoŭskaja, pronounced [t͡simanˈɔwskaja]; born 19 November 1996) is a Belarusian sprinter.[1] She won a silver medal in the 100 metres at the 2017 European U23 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland; a gold medal in the 200 metres at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy; and a silver medal in the team event at the 2019 European Games in Minsk, Belarus.[2]

Tsimanouskaya qualified to represent Belarus at the 2020 Summer Olympics in the women's 100 m and 200 m events. On 30 July 2021, during the Games, she accused officials from the Belarus Olympic Committee of forcing her to compete in the 4 × 400 m relay race without her consent. On 1 August 2021, she was taken to Tokyo's Haneda Airport against her will, where she refused to board a flight back to Belarus. She was subsequently given police protection before being granted a humanitarian visa by Poland, to which she traveled on 4 August.

Early life

Krystsina Siarheyeuna Tsimanouskaya was born in Klimavichy, a town in eastern Belarus.[3] Though she raced for fun as a child, she joined competitive athletics late, receiving an offer from an Olympic trainer to join his academy when she was around 15 years old. Her parents were initially worried, thinking she would not achieve an athletic career; they were convinced by Tsimanouskaya and her grandmother.[4]

International competitions

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  Belarus
2015 European Junior Championships Eskilstuna, Sweden 6th 100 m 11.85
17th (h) 200 m 24.51
2017 European Indoor Championships Belgrade, Serbia 12th (sf) 60 m 7.39
European U23 Championships Bydgoszcz, Poland 2nd 100 m 11.54
4th 200 m 23.32
2018 World Indoor Championships Birmingham, United Kingdom 31st (h) 60 m 7.37
European Championships Berlin, Germany 13th (sf) 100 m 11.34
10th (sf) 200 m 23.03
2019 European Indoor Championships Glasgow, United Kingdom 7th 60 m 7.26
Universiade Naples, Italy 6th 100 m 11.44
1st 200 m 23.00
World Championships Doha, Qatar 26th (h) 200 m 23.22
European Games Minsk, Belarus 2nd team TBC
2021 European Indoor Championships Toruń, Poland – 60 m DQ
2020 Summer Olympics Tokyo, Japan 38th (h) 100 m 11.47
– 200 m DNC

Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Tsimanouskaya qualified to represent Belarus at the 2020 Summer Olympics, her first time,[5] in the 100 m and 200 m events. On 30 July 2021 (postponed from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic), she finished 4th in the first round heat of the 100 m event with a time of 11.47.[6] Prior to the 200 m event, Belarus Olympic Committee (NOC RB) officials withdrew her from the competition.[7][8][9] On 2 August, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Tsimanouskaya's request to annul the decision of the NOC RB to stop her from participating at the Tokyo Olympics, stating that she was unable to prove her case.[10][11] On 3 August, the CAS clarified that its judgement was based on the fact that Tsimanouskaya could not prove she would still attempt to compete at Tokyo while she was in the process of seeking asylum in other countries.[12]

Repatriation incident and asylum

See also: Belarus at the 2020 Summer Olympics § Changes in women's 4 × 400 metres relay team, and Concerns and controversies at the 2020 Summer Olympics

On 30 July 2021, Tsimanouskaya recorded an Instagram video criticising officials from the Belarus Olympic Committee, saying that they had entered her in the 4 × 400 m relay race, a distance she had never contested, without her consent, after other athletes missed doping tests and were not allowed to compete due to a lack of tests, which she also blamed on the NOC RB.[13][14][15] On 1 August 2021, Belarusian media reported the attempt to forcibly return Tsimanouskaya to Belarus.[16] Her grandmother warned her not to return while she was being transported to the airport. Tsimanouskaya said her family feared that she might be taken to a psychiatric facility if she returned to Belarus. She then decided not to return,[17] and she recorded another video from the airport. The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) called for journalists and members of the Belarusian diaspora in Japan to meet Tsimanouskaya at Haneda Airport in Tokyo.[16] She drew the attention of police officers at the airport terminal, who took her into protective custody at an airport hotel overnight.[14] Tsimanouskaya said to journalists that she was afraid of returning to Belarus,[18] and she intended to claim asylum in Austria,[19][20] where she often trains.[21]

As the news hit international media, several countries, including the Czech Republic and Poland, said that they were ready to offer her a visa and protection.[19] On 2 August, she entered the Polish embassy in Tokyo and was granted a humanitarian visa to the country, along with her husband, fellow sprinter Arseniy Zdanevich; sources said she had begun the process of seeking asylum there and was no longer pursuing this in Austria.[22][23] Zdanevich fled to Ukraine after he heard the news, saying that he didn't think twice about leaving Belarus.[24] Her parents told her not to return to Belarus, while reports say that they and her grandmother had been visited by police.[4] The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that they were also safeguarding Tsimanouskaya and that the UNHCR was involved.[24] The Japanese government also assured her safety.[14] On 3 August, she was granted a humanitarian visa in Japan, and Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi reported that she was in a "safe situation".[25]

Though most of western Europe had offered her protection by the end of the day, she reportedly chose to seek asylum in Poland as the country had expressly offered her the opportunity to continue competing;[24] the IOC made contact with officials from the Polish Olympic Committee (PKOI) on 3 August regarding Tsimanouskaya resuming competition.[12] Though other Belarusian athletes have been critical of the nation's leader Alexander Lukashenko directly, and some of them were banned and imprisoned for participating in protests,[24] Zdanevich told media that the couple were just athletes and not interested in politics or the opposition movement. However, following Tsimanouskaya's criticisms of the national coaches and describing the attempt to forcefully repatriate her, many Belarusian government supporters sent her threatening messages; the BSSF determined her life would be in danger if she returned to Belarus, and they reportedly sponsored a plane ticket for her to fly to Warsaw, Poland.[14] On 4 August, Tsimanouskaya flew to Vienna's international airport from Narita International Airport, and from there took a connecting flight to Poland. The Polish foreign ministry said the travel plans were changed due to safety concerns after the diversion of Ryanair Flight 4978 in May 2021. She was met at Warsaw Chopin Airport by Polish officials as well as Belarusian expatriates carrying carnations, a symbol of resistance.[26]

The NOC RB is headed by Lukashenko's son, Viktor Lukashenko, with Alexander Lukashenko having headed it until 2021 and continuing to exert influence. The IOC banned both men from attending the Tokyo 2020 Olympics following accusations of intimidation from athletes. The NOC RB, which withdrew Tsimanouskaya from competition following the Instagram video, said on 1 August that it was concerned by the athlete's "emotional and psychological state ... according to doctors".[14] Tsimanouskaya said she did not see any doctors.[27] The state-owned Belarusian network Belarus-1 reported on 31 July that she was removed from the team for being unsportsmanlike, saying that she was "lazy", "foul-bred", and "unpatriotic", and did not deserve to represent Belarus; it also criticized the strictness of the IOC which prohibited the original relay runners from competing.[28]

On 3 August, the IOC launched an investigation of the incident, demanding a report from the NOC RB to explain why they attempted to repatriate Tsimanouskaya by the end of the day.[12] A disciplinary commission, during which Tsimanouskaya is set to testify, is planned for 6 August 2021. On this day, as part of the investigation, the IOC revoked the accreditation of two Belarusian delegates, head athletics coach Yuri Moisevich and team official Artur Shimak, who were asked to leave the Olympic Village and complied. The IOC added that they will have an opportunity "to be heard."[29] Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, and the Japanese foreign ministry both gave statements on 6 August describing what happened to Tsimanouskaya as "deplorable" and "unjust".[30]

Several fellow Belarusian athletes have spoken in support of Tsimanouskaya, while others have condemned her. Some contacted by The Guardian declined to talk, also wanting to steer clear of politics.[4] Amnesty International reported that athletes are more likely to be targets of the Lukashenko government due to his personal interest in sports: athletes are favoured by the state, and so speaking out is considered more treacherous from them.[31] On 4 August, Belarusian athletes Yana Maksimava and Andrei Krauchanka also announced they would not return to the country but would seek refuge in Germany, where they train.[32] Krauchanka has previously been detained in Belarus for taking part in protests.[33]

Following its granting of visas to Tsimanouskaya and her husband, Poland said that Belarus, which the European Union (EU) has previously accused of state-sponsored facilitation of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, started sending migrants it had flown in from the Middle East into Poland as a political weapon. On 5 August, the EU summoned Belarusian officials to Brussels to explain, with the European Commission warning Lukashenko to stop using migrants as tools.[34][35][36]

Personal bests

Outdoor

Indoor

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ Russian: Kristina Sergeyevna Timanovskaya (Кристина Сергеевна Тимановская, pronounced [tɪmənˈofskəjə])

References

  1. ^ Krystsina Tsimanouskaya at World Athletics
  2. ^ "Team results" (PDF). 2019 European Games. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Belarus sprinter faces long exile in Poland after seeking refuge". The Guardian. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Roth, Andrew (2 August 2021). "Belarus sprinter faces long exile in Poland after seeking refuge". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Athletics TSIMANOUSKAYA Krystsina - Tokyo 2020 Olympics". Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Retrieved 2 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Athletics - Round 1 - Heat 6 Results, Olympics, 30 July 2021, retrieved 2 August 2021
  7. ^ "Sports court denies Belarus sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya's appeal". ESPN. Associated Press. 3 August 2021.
  8. ^ ""Они накосячили с девчонками" — белорусская легкоатлетка Тимановская заявила, что "очень крутое начальство" поставило ее на эстафету на Олимпиаде без ее ведома". Telegraf.by (in Belarusian). 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Из-за косяка чиновников (они включили дурака и не признают вину) у беларусов в Токио подвисла эстафета 4 по 400. В нее заявляют девушек совсем другого профиля – и это просто жесть". BY.Tribuna.com (in Belarusian). Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  10. ^ "CAS отклонил запрос белоруски Тимановской о ее допуске к Олимпиаде". RBC. 2 August 2021.
  11. ^ "CAS отклонил запрос Тимановской на отмену решения НОК Беларуси, заявив, что спортсменка не доказала свою правоту". sports.ru. 2 August 2021.
  12. ^ a b c "IOC investigates allegations that Belarus tried to force sprinter home". Euronews. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  13. ^ Tétrault-farber, Gabrielle (2 August 2021). "Belarusian sprinter refuses to leave Tokyo". Reuters. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  14. ^ a b c d e "'We're just normal sports people': Belarusian sprinter arrives at Polish embassy in Tokyo as husband enters Ukraine". Sky News. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  15. ^ ""Чаму я даведваюся пра гэта ад левых людей?" Функцыянеры паставілі спартсменку, якая бегае спрынт, на эстафету 4х400". Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Фонд спортивной солидарности/BSSF". Telegram. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Belarusian sprinter decided to defect on way to airport on family fears about safety". Reuters. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  18. ^ ""Проста сказалі збіраць рэчы": Ціманоўская пра выгнанне з Алімпіяды ў Токіа". Навіны Беларусі | euroradio.fm (in Belarusian). Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Belarus Olympics: Krystsina Tsimanouskaya refusing to fly home". BBC Sport. August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Belarusian sprinter who criticised coaches refuses to be sent home". The Guardian. 1 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  21. ^ Lloyd Parry, Richard. "Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, the Belarus athlete in Olympics 'kidnap' row, switches flight to Vienna". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Belarusian sprinter enters Polish embassy after refusing to board flight". ITV News. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Belarus Olympic runner who feared going home lands in Vienna". AP News. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  24. ^ a b c d "Belarus athlete who refused to fly home reportedly seeks asylum in Poland". The Guardian. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  25. ^ "Olympic organizers probe case of Belarusian sprinter". Deutsche Welle. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  26. ^ "Belarusian sprinter reaches Poland after defying order home". Reuters. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  27. ^ Олехнович, Виталий (1 August 2021). "Бегунью Тимановскую тренеры отстранили от участия в Олимпийских играх, ее хотели посадить на самолет из Токио - Люди Onliner". Onliner (in Russian). Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  28. ^ "Нет результата - нужен скандал. Тирада возмущения в соцсетях от легкоатлетки Кристины Тимановской". TVR (in Belarusian). 31 July 2021.
  29. ^ "Krystsina Tsimanouskaya: IOC says two Belarus coaches have been removed from the athletes village in Tokyo". Sky Sports. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  30. ^ Belarus: IOC expels two coaches over Krystina Timanovskaya case, BBC News, 6 August 2021
  31. ^ "Belarus: Once a showcase of the country's success, sport is now a battleground for reprisals". Amnesty International. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  32. ^ "Belarusian sprinter arrives in Vienna after fleeing Olympic team officials". ITV News. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  33. ^ "Belarus sprinter leaves Tokyo on flight to Vienna after seeking refuge". The Guardian. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  34. ^ "EU summons Belarus envoy in 'weaponising' migrants row". EUobserver. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  35. ^ "Poland says Belarus lets migrants cross border in 'hybrid war' with EU". Reuters. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Belarus 'weaponising' illegal migration, Lithuania says". Financial Times. Retrieved 6 August 2021.

Further reading

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