Olympic medalist leaves Belarus for Poland

The silver medalist of the 2012 Olympic Games in rhythmic gymnastics, Honorary Master of Sports Natallia Leshchyk has left Belarus for Poland. She is going to train children in Bialystok. On April 26, the Belarusian was officially introduced to the city authorities, reports @mostmediaio.

Leshchyk signed the letter of free athletes and spoke about the situation in Belarus after the presidential elections in 2020. She also condemned the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

"After the protests we have a very alarming situation in Belarus, a lot of people are in jail," says Natallia Leshchyk. "I openly expressed my position against dictatorship and war. There was a possibility that they would come after me and arrest me. I was always in a state of fear, so I had to leave the country."

The Belarusian has been living in Poland since the winter of 2022. First it was Wroclaw, and then she was offered a job and an apartment in Bialystok.

"I would like to thank Poland for the hospitality, shelter and the opportunity to feel safe," Leshchyk said. "I am very happy to work with the children in Bialystok. I hope that our work will be productive."

The Belarusian will train future Polish champions.