11 September 2020, 12:01 | Pressball
Olympic champion Nadezhda Skardino commented on the statements of Alexander Tikhonov, the four-time Olympic biathlon champion.
The other day, I read an interview with Alexander Tikhonov, a four-time Olympic champion who lives in Minsk at the moment. More than five hundred Belarusian athletes have signed a letter against violence, but Alexander Tikhonov said that they did not have the right to do so. He argues that athletes have all the conditions in Belarus to live and work: numerous stadiums, a regular salary – which do not benefit the Republic, especially financially. He claims that they are parasites, that they have never worked and so they do not have the right to express their opinion.
It hurt me. I do not understand the essence of his claims. I was apolitical in public because I do not live in Belarus now and I have not voted in the elections. But all this time, I watched in bewilderment what was happening in the country, especially in the first days after the elections. I could not remain indifferent!
If a citizen from another country can express his opinion, I have the right to do so as well.
Alexander Ivanovich, do you seriously think that material values should be higher than moral ones? Does being paid a salary mean we are obliged to remain silent about what is happening in the country? If you really think so, then believe me, this is not the best quality of a human being. An athlete is a citizen like everyone else in the country, and has the right to express their civic position. Moreover, athletes support people who pay taxes to the budget, which are then spent on the building of stadiums as well. The people who have suffered this month.
There are athletes among these people too. Politics is present in the lives of athletes, but at the same time, they are advised to stay out of politics.
As for our benefit to society, I think it is obvious – we delight people with our victories and strengthen the image of the country. It is strange for me to face such claims from a former athlete. Following this logic, you were also a parasite who spent budget funds and did not benefit the country, weren’t you? Why, then, do you proudly put on your jacket with medals if you think these victories do nothing for the country?
I would like to remind you that in a democratic country, every person has the right to have their own opinion. And the athletes have expressed it. It is our constitutional right, which no one has the right to take away.
Some people speak in support of the current government – and they have every right to do so. What concerns me is that I cannot remain silent in a situation where hundreds of people are being imprisoned.
Though the victims file applications, not a single case of abuse of power by the government security forces has yet been opened. Here in Switzerland, Belarus is now the most popular topic of discussion. The events in Belarus are shown on TV, Swiss media write about them, etc. People are shocked by these publications and photographs. It is difficult for them to believe that all this can happen in a European country.
You are in Switzerland now, but you are following what is happening in Belarus, aren’t you?
How can I not? I lived in Belarus for seventeen years, and this is my country. I followed events even before the elections, when those who wanted to register as presidential candidates began to appear. Even then, the situation was heating up, it became turbulent. Even those who simply stood in line at a store selling items with national symbols suffered…
I personally know people who wanted to become election observers but did not get into the commissions – none of my acquaintances got in. This also made waves. But what happened next – it was difficult for me to imagine such a thing.
Belarus has suffered a huge blow to its image. If earlier there were any efforts by diplomats to talk about our country as a safe and beautiful place in the center of Europe, now all efforts have been nullified. Foreign media are filled with reports and photographs that cause real shock. Who would want to go to Belarus after this?
By the way, the Swiss wrestler who went to the training camp in Minsk decided to walk around the city and also got into trouble. He spent 6 days in the detention center. But he was lucky when they realized that he was a foreigner. He got off easy… The Swiss Foreign Minister intervened, and Makei [the Foreign Minister of Belarus – Editor’s note] seemed to have helped.
Of course, I follow not only the local media, but also Belarusian ones. I heard the version of events that claims those who go to opposition protests and demonstrations are paid 30-60 Belarusian rubles each. But when I saw girls in white dresses with flowers, who thus supported compatriots, psychologically, I was in solidarity with them.
Some said that it is better not to delve into what is happening, because it is very difficult, and I am a mother and I have a small child. I accept this point of view as support, but I simply cannot look on indifferently at what is happening. I cannot abstract myself because I am a living person.
I am also upset by the fact that Russians were initially presented as enemies who, through their candidates, were trying to deprive Belarus of its independence. Then, however, we again became best friends who should live together – on a common land from Vladivostok to Brest. What a mess.
It is obvious to me that our people do not want violence. They go exclusively to peaceful protests – all my friends and acquaintances say this. People only demand justice. They do nothing wrong, they just go into the streets – and the riot police and military are against them.
It seems that now, many are afraid to suffer for publicly expressing their own opinion. But I am speaking up now, because I am Belarusian, my son is Belarusian.
By the way, I noticed recently that when I am asked where I come from, I answer: from Belarus. Then, however, I add that I was born in Russia, and my family lives there now. But in my soul and heart, I have long been a Belarusian, and I don’t care what happens in my country. I support my people. I believe that everything could initially have been resolved peacefully.
Lack of dialogue is a road to nowhere. This initiates an even more massive protest; the Belarusians are only embittered. The worst part is that more and more people are losing faith in the rule of law. Therefore, we urgently need dialogue.
