Belarusian sprinter Kristina Timanovskaya sparked a significant political crisis at the Tokyo Games when her delegation tried to send her home for publicly criticizing the head coach. Now living in Poland, she has been able to compete in the Olympic events she trained for, representing her new country. Her case reflects the broader repression in Belarus, where athletes who opposed the government have been silenced or forced into exile. The situation has led to a division among Belarusian athletes, with some competing under a neutral designation in Paris, while others remain unable to participate. The international community has been criticized for not adequately addressing the challenges faced by these athletes. Despite the difficulties, Timanovskaya considers herself fortunate to continue her athletic career, while many others are left without the opportunity to compete on the global stage.