Teenager banned from Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics flees home country over ‘made-up’ accusations

Cross-country skier Darya Dolidovich has fled Belarus after being barred from competing in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics over accusations regarding her involvement with the country’s opposition movement.

The 17-year-old’s International Ski Federation (FIS) code - required for athletes to compete in official events - was changed to “not active” approximately three weeks ago.

It followed a decision from the Belarus Ski Union, according to Reuters.

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Dolidovich told Reuters in December that the ban - which precluded her from competing at Beijing 2022 - came after sports officials accused her of “supporting” the country’s opposition.

CNN has reached out to the Belarus Ski Union and the Belarus Cross-Country Skiing Federation for comment on Dolidovich’s case.

In a statement to CNN, the FIS said: “FIS has reached out to the Belarus Ski Association to ask the reason why the status was changed, but has not yet received an update.”

Darya’s coach and father Sergei Dolidovich is a seven-time Olympian who has spoken out publicly against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime and took part in street protests following the disputed presidential election in August 2020, which was marred by fraud.

Darya confirmed that her family had relocated to Poland during a video interview with Reuters on Wednesday.

“I couldn’t have imagined, even in a nightmare, that I would end up leaving my country three-four months ago,” the teenager said.

“It feels like tomorrow I’ll take the plane or car back.

“I had planned to finish school in Belarus, but my parents said that we were moving. I think it’s for the best for my father as well. I’m upset, of