According to a politician in Poland, a second Belarussian athlete, an equestrian who was kicked out of the country’s Olympic squad after criticizing government officials, has been granted a humanitarian visa and given asylum in Poland.
Belarus dressage rider Olga Safronova, who was forbidden from competing in this summer’s Tokyo Olympics, plans to train and compete with Poland’s national equestrian team, according to opposition politician Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska.
When one of her horses was alleged to be lame and unsuited for competition, Safronova’s issues began when she made heated comments against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s autocratic rule while in Poland. According to Kluzik-Rostkowska, Safronova was removed from the Belarusian team for the Tokyo Olympics as a result of her words, and she was labeled a national enemy.
According to Kluzik-Rostkowska, Safronova and her husband decided to seek asylum in Poland, and in mid-August they were awarded humanitarian visas by Poland’s consulate in Lviv, Ukraine, where they proceeded to pick them up.
The horse was examined by veterinarians in Poland and confirmed to be in good health. Her other two horses were also transported to Poland.
Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, a Belarusian Olympic sprinter, sought refuge in Poland last month to avoid punishment at home after criticizing team authorities during the Tokyo Olympic Games, where she was forbidden from competing. She enlisted the support of Japanese police at the Tokyo airport to avoid being deported by Belarusian officials, and eventually made her way to Poland, where she was granted a humanitarian visa.
Tsimanouskaya, who is now sponsored by Poland’s Orlen oil company, says she feels protected and is looking forward to continuing her world-class running career.
Poland has also granted asylum to dissidents and critics of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko who are fearing retaliation.
