Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, the Belarusian sprinter who defected at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago, has been cleared by World Athletics to compete for Poland after it waived the normal three-year waiting period for nationality changes.
Tsimanouskaya refused to board a flight back home from Tokyo when she was removed from the Olympics against her will after publicly complaining about national team coaches' decision to enter her in the 4x400-meter relay, which was not her customary distance.
She defected to Poland, saying she feared for her safety if she returned to Belarus. Poland granted her citizenship last year.