One Belarus national team player who participated in the Tokyo Olympics suddenly left Japan.
However, I went to Poland, a neighboring country in the west, not my home country.
He refused to return to Japan and went into exile.
What happened to the athletes who participated in the Olympics on behalf of the country?
I asked the reporter in charge.
(International Department, Yasushi Tsukagoshi)
Q What kind of player was in exile?
This is Belarus national team, Christiana Chimanouskaya (24), a track and field girl.
He was selected as the representative of the Olympic Games for the first time after leaving results at the youth world championships.
Participated in the women's 100-meter qualifying for track and field on July 30.
After that, on the 2nd of this month, I was planning to participate in the 200 meters.
Q What happened to the players?
Chimanouskaya told the media that on the 1st of this month, the track and field team manager and representatives suddenly said, "The decision was made to return you," and he was instructed to hurry up and pack up his luggage. That is.
The Belarusian Olympic Commission claims that it has decided to leave the team and return home, based on the doctor's judgment that it was due to the emotional and psychological state of Chimanouskaya.
Q What was the beginning?
The trigger was the sudden addition of a participation event.
According to Chimanouskaya, he was unilaterally decided to take part in a 1600-meter relay, which he had no experience with, on behalf of other players who could not participate without prior doping tests.
Athletes are complaining on their Instagram.
"The directors didn't try to know my physical condition in advance or ask if I was ready to run 400 meters. The people on top respected the athletes and sometimes gave their opinions. Must be heard "(July 30).
It is said that this caused the anger of the director and others.
Q You should return to Japan, but why did you decide to go into exile?
This is because I was worried about my safety after returning to Japan.
On the way to Haneda Airport for his return, Chimanouskaya decided to go into exile after being told by his grandmother on the phone, "Don't go back because it's not safe. You may be put in a mental hospital or a prison." is.
When Chimanouskaya was taken to the airport by the team staff on the night of the day, he refused to return to Japan and asked police officers nearby for protection.
Q What kind of country is Belarus?
Belarus became independent 30 years ago with the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
President Lukashenko, who has led the country for 27 years, has tightened control over the media and thoroughly cracked down on rebels.
It has been criticized by the West as "the last dictator in Europe".
In May, an international airliner was forced to land in Belarus and was detained by an anti-government journalist on board.
Q Is the administration involved in the sudden decision to return to Japan by Chimanouskaya?
I don't know for sure.
However, according to Chimanouskaya, the coach said, "The problem of returning to Japan is treated at a higher level than the competition organizations and the Ministry of Sports."
Belarusian political commentators and journalists also pointed out to local media that "resistance and criticism of bosses is considered a challenge to power in this country," and the background to the sudden return of athletes was instructed. Indicates that there was a decision by President Lukashenko.
Q Why did Chimanouskaya choose Poland as his asylum destination?
Poland is also a gathering place for anti-government people who escape the crackdown of Belarus' Lukashenko administration and disseminate information.
The Polish government has shown its willingness to support these people, and has urgently issued visas to Chimanouskaya for humanitarian reasons and accepted asylum.
Chimanouskaya left Narita Airport on the 4th after moving to the Polish Embassy in Tokyo.
Q What kind of response does the IOC (International Olympic Committee) take?
The IOC confirmed that two people, including the Belarusian track and field team manager, had asked Chimanouskaya to return home, and revealed on the 6th that they had stripped the ID card required to participate in the tournament.
In fact, the chairman of the Belarus Olympic Committee was President Lukashenko himself until February, but the IOC has issued a disposition not to participate in the Tokyo Olympics because it does not protect athletes from political discrimination. I am.
In response to this situation, Western countries have accused the Lukashenko administration of responding, and among them, Secretary of State Blinken of the United States said, "Even though I just exercised freedom of expression, the Lukashenko administration tried to force me to return home. It goes against the spirit and neglects basic human rights and is unacceptable. "
Q What is the future of the players?
Chimanouskaya has shown his determination to continue working as an athlete in Poland.
At a press conference on the 5th, he said, "I am surprised that sports problems have become a political scandal. I love my home country. I never intended to leave the country where I was born and raised." increase.
And at the end of the press conference, he was holding a T-shirt with the words "I JUST WANT TO RUN".
The Olympic Games have been used by dictatorial nations as a means of raising national prestige, but the reality was once again highlighted at the Tokyo Games.
Just before boarding the plane at Narita Airport, Chimanous Kaya smiled with a faint smile.
Behind the scenes, I felt the sadness of being away from the stage of my dreams and from my beloved homeland.
What is the Olympic Games where athletes are still swayed by politics?
The asylum of one player is asking.