A 11.47-second heat time in the 100 metres at the Tokyo Olympics marked the start of a public confrontation for Krystsina Tsimanouskaya. After questioning the decision of Belarus Olympic Committee officials to enter her into a 4x400 metres relay race without consent, she refused orders to return home, triggering a departure from the Belarusian national team.
Early Career and Athletics Entry
Born in Klimavičy on 19 November 1996, Tsimanouskaya participated in racing during her childhood. She formalised her involvement at age 15 after an invitation from an Olympic trainer to join his academy. Despite initial concerns from her parents regarding the stability of a professional sports career, she pursued training with the encouragement of her grandmother.
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Tsimanouskaya has accumulated several medals throughout her career in sprint events. She secured a silver medal in the 100 metres at the 2017 European U23 Championships and a gold medal in the 200 metres during the 2019 Summer Universiade. Her performance history includes a silver medal in the 2019 European Games team event and a bronze in the 4x100 metres relay at the 2026 European Championships.
The Tokyo Olympic Incident
During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021 due to the pandemic, Tsimanouskaya was scheduled to compete in the 100 metres and 200 metres. Following her criticism of committee officials on Instagram, she was withdrawn from the games. Officials attempted to transport her to Haneda Airport for repatriation, but she sought assistance from Japanese police. She subsequently received a humanitarian visa at the Polish embassy in Tokyo and traveled to Warsaw via Vienna.
Transition to Poland
Upon arriving in Poland, Tsimanouskaya gained citizenship in June 2022. The World Athletics Nationality Review Panel facilitated her transition by waiving the standard three-year residency requirement. Representing Poland, she competed in the 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay events at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Her personal bests include an 11.04 finish in the 100 metres recorded in Minsk in 2018.
Fast facts
- Born: 19 November 1996, Klimavičy
- Citizenship: Belarus, Poland
- 100m Personal Best: 11.04
- 200m Personal Best: 22.75
- First Olympic Appearance: 2020 Summer Olympics
- Languages: Russian, Belarusian
Questions readers ask
Which events did she compete in at the 2024 Summer Olympics?
She competed for Poland in the 200 metres and the 4x100 metres relay.
Why did she refuse to board the plane at Haneda Airport?
She feared for her safety upon returning to Belarus after being removed from the Olympic competition by team officials.
Achievements
- Competed at 2024 Summer Olympics
- Discipline: athletics
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