Kristina Timanovskaya’s Journey from Belarus to Competing in the Olympics for Poland

The Journey of Kristina Timanovskaya: From Belarus to the Olympics

The Belarusian-born sprinter Kristina Timanovskaya ignited a significant political crisis during the Tokyo Olympics when her delegation attempted to forcibly send her back home after she publicly criticized the head coach for improperly signing her up for the wrong events. This incident not only highlighted the challenges faced by athletes in authoritarian regimes but also marked a pivotal moment in her life and career.

Three years later, Timanovskaya has successfully left behind the oppressive environment of Belarus and its sporting community—an environment that reflects the broader repression prevalent in the country. She has finally had the opportunity to compete in the Olympic events she had trained for throughout her career, specifically the 100- and 200-meter dashes, now representing her new home, Poland.

In a recent interview conducted in the Olympic Village, she expressed her determination: “As soon as I arrived in Poland, I had no other goal but competing in the Paris Olympics. It was so important for me to go and run my own distance.” This statement underscores her resilience and commitment to pursuing her athletic dreams despite the challenges she faced.

Timanovskaya, whose name is also transliterated as Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, is among the fortunate few. Only one other Belarusian athlete, the high jumper Maryia Zhodzik, has successfully changed her citizenship to compete for Poland.

While Timanovskaya is able to participate in the 100- and 200-meter dashes for her new country, many other athletes who dared to voice their dissent against the authoritarian regime of Belarus remain on the sidelines. In stark contrast, those who chose to stay silent or demonstrate loyalty to the president continue to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics.