Skier Darya Dolidovich left Belarus after she was banned from participating in international competitions due to allegations of involvement in the opposition movement. It is reported by Reuters.
The 17-year-old athlete, who was considered one of the most promising in the team, moved with her family to Poland. She hopes to continue training there.
According to the father of the athlete, Sergei Dolidovich, they left Belarus, fearing persecution by the authorities. “Three months ago, even in a nightmare, I could not imagine that I would leave the country,” he shared.
In January 2022, it was reported that Dolidovich was not allowed to compete internationally by decision of the national federation. The athlete was deprived of her license and was unable to participate in the qualifying tournaments for the 2022 Olympic Games. The skier considered that the decision to be expelled from the national team was connected with the political views of her father. “Personally, I have done nothing to justify my suspension and revocation of my license,” she added.
Last August, the National Olympic Committee of Belarus expelled track and field athlete Kristina Timanovskaya from the Tokyo Olympic team and tried to deport her to Minsk after she criticized the country’s sports leadership. Thanks to the intervention of the International Olympic Committee, the Belarusian athlete flew to Poland, where she received political asylum.
Source: Lenta
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