Athletes for Freedom Foundation

03/30/2026

🏅 World Athletics Strengthens Rules on Athlete Eligibility and Fair Competition.

World Athletics has recently reaffirmed its position on maintaining strict eligibility rules in international competitions, particularly around fairness and integrity in elite sport.

The federation continues to emphasize that clear and consistent regulations are essential to ensure a level playing field for all athletes. These discussions remain closely tied to broader debates around inclusion, competitive balance, and scientific standards in sport.

At the same time, the issue has sparked ongoing global conversation among athletes, policymakers, and sports organizations about how to balance:

◾fairness in competition

◾inclusion and non-discrimination

◾and long-term trust in international sport

World Athletics maintains that its policies are based on scientific evidence and the protection of competition integrity, while critics argue that the issue requires continued dialogue and careful consideration of athletes’ rights.

👉 This reflects a wider trend in global sport:

Federations are increasingly forced to take positions on complex social and ethical questions — far beyond the field of play.

At Athletes for Freedom Foundation, we support efforts to ensure that decisions in sport are guided by transparency, fairness, and respect for athletes’ rights.

03/29/2026

🌍 March 29 | Global Sport & Politics

🏅 Global Debate Grows Over Neutral Athletes and Integrity in International Sport.

The issue of neutral athlete participation remains one of the most widely discussed topics in global sport as international federations and governing bodies prepare for upcoming major competitions.

Sports organizations are facing increasing pressure from governments, athlete groups, and civil society regarding how neutrality should be defined — and whether it can truly exist in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions.

While some stakeholders argue that sport must remain open and separate from politics, others emphasize that participation should align with fundamental values such as fairness, transparency, and respect for human rights.

Athletes themselves are playing a growing role in this discussion, calling for:

◾clear and consistent eligibility criteria

◾equal conditions of competition

◾greater transparency in decision-making

At the same time, key concerns remain regarding:

◾the influence of state systems in international sport

◾the integrity of qualification pathways

◾and the broader role of sport in times of global instability

This ongoing debate reflects a deeper question facing modern sport:

👉 Can international competition remain neutral — or must it reflect shared values and responsibilities?

At Athletes for Freedom Foundation, we support athletes who stand for integrity, fairness, and accountability, and who contribute to shaping a more transparent and principled global sports system.

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03/17/2026

🏃 Krystsina Tsimanouskaya Declines Participation in Enhanced Games!

Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who currently represents Poland, has declined an offer to participate in the so-called Enhanced Games — a competition format that allows the use of performance-enhancing substances.

Tsimanouskaya is also an Ambassador and member of the Advisory Board of Athletes for Freedom Foundation, and has consistently advocated for fairness and integrity in sport.

According to media reports, the athlete was offered approximately $100,000 for participation, with potential bonuses of up to $1 million for record-breaking performances.

Organizers of the Enhanced Games claim that substance use would take place under medical supervision and present the format as an alternative to hidden doping in traditional sport.

Tsimanouskaya, however, stated that she stands for clean sport and is not prepared to take part in such initiatives. She shared details of the offer publicly on her social media.

The concept of the Enhanced Games continues to generate significant debate within the international sports community — particularly around issues of ethics, athlete safety, and the future of professional sport.

At Athletes for Freedom Foundation, we support athletes who choose integrity, transparency, and fairness — even when faced with difficult decisions.

02/13/2026

🏅 Athletes for Freedom Foundation Expresses Support for Ukrainian Athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych.

Athletes for Freedom Foundation expresses its strong support for Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who has consistently demonstrated courage, integrity, and principled leadership both on and off the track.

As an Olympian and one of Ukraine’s leading winter sports athletes, Heraskevych has become widely recognized not only for his sporting achievements, but also for his clear and responsible stance in defense of fairness, human dignity, and the fundamental values of sport. At a time when athletes increasingly face pressure for speaking openly about ethical issues, his position reflects the very essence of what sport should represent — respect, accountability, and moral responsibility.

Sport has always been more than competition. It is a global platform built on shared rules, mutual respect, and trust between athletes. When these principles are challenged, the voices of athletes themselves become essential in protecting the credibility and integrity of international sport.

Vladyslav Heraskevych has used his platform thoughtfully and responsibly, advocating for transparency, fairness, and respect for international sporting values. Such leadership requires personal courage, especially in moments when public positions may bring criticism or pressure.

Athletes for Freedom Foundation stands in solidarity with Vladyslav and with all athletes who choose to defend the principles of freedom, fairness, and justice. The global sports community depends on individuals who are willing to speak openly in support of ethical standards and human dignity.

AFF remains committed to supporting athletes worldwide who uphold these values and who believe that sport must remain a space guided by integrity, responsibility, and respect for fundamental rights.

We encourage the international sports community to continue fostering an environment where athletes can express their views freely and safely, without fear of retaliation or pressure.

Sport is strongest when athletes are free to stand by their principles.

02/07/2026

Fundraiser for Phoenix Successfully Completed!

We are proud to share that our fundraiser in support of "Phoenix", a Belarusian European Champion in hand-to-hand combat and Ambassador of Athletes for Freedom Foundation, has successfully concluded thanks to the incredible generosity of our community.

https://www.facebook.com/donate/1468260937717433/?fundraiser_source=external_url

Phoenix — a survivor, athlete, and defender — sustained life-threatening injuries near Bakhmut in May 2023 while protecting Ukraine as a volunteer. He survived three clinical deaths, spent over six months in intensive care, and endured more than 100 surgeries. After two years of silent recovery, relying solely on his family and friends, Phoenix is now completing rehabilitation and preparing for a new chapter as an instructor and mentor, using his experience to support others.

Thanks to your donations, we were able to raise the necessary funds to support his ongoing recovery and help him begin building his new professional path.

🙏 We extend our deepest gratitude to every donor who contributed, and especially to the Athletes for Freedom Foundation team and our Chairman, Dmitri I. Dubograev , whose personal support helped make this campaign possible.

📣 A message from Phoenix:
“I am deeply grateful for this wave of support and solidarity. It means a lot to feel part of a global community of athletes who stand together — no matter the distance or circumstances. This gives me strength to keep going and to give back.”

At Athletes for Freedom Foundation, we remain committed to supporting athletes who have chosen the path of freedom, integrity, and courage — even when it comes at great personal cost.

11/20/2025

📰 Major Reuters Investigation on the Disappearance of Anatol Kotau. What Do We Know — and Can U.S. Authorities Help?

A detailed Reuters report has shed new light on the disappearance of Anatol Kotau, the Head of International Relations at the Athletes for Freedom Foundation and a well-known Belarusian sports official who went missing in Turkey on August 21.

Kotau, who arrived in Istanbul that evening, vanished after 21:28 local time — and has not been heard from since. Conflicting reports from Turkish authorities, including unconfirmed claims about internal flights or boat travel, have raised even more questions and provided no verified answers.

🔍 What is known so far?

◾There is no official confirmation that Kotau left Turkey.

◾Turkish police versions contradict each other, and the information trail abruptly ends.

◾Belarus has launched no formal investigation.

◾International sports and human rights organizations have already issued statements urging action — without visible progress.

🇺🇸 Could the United States help?

According to Reuters, Kotau’s wife hopes that U.S. officials may intervene, particularly those involved in negotiations and special diplomatic missions related to politically sensitive cases in the region.

Given Kotau’s international role, his long-standing work in defending athletes’ rights, and his connections within global sports governance, potential U.S. involvement could become a decisive factor in moving the case forward.

However, as of now, Washington has not officially confirmed whether it plans to assist in the investigation.

🕯 The situation remains unresolved

Anatol Kotau’s whereabouts are still unknown. His family, colleagues, and the global sports community continue to call for transparency, a full-scale investigation, and immediate action to establish what happened on the night of his disappearance.

Read the article on the link below 👇

https://www.reuters.com/world/wife-missing-belarus-dissident-hopes-trump-envoy-can-find-him-2025-11-19/

10/09/2025

🇪🇺 Council of Europe to Monitor the Disappearance of Anatol Kotau

During the opening session of the Play the Game 2025 international sports conference in Tampere, Finland, Bjorn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, expressed serious concern regarding the disappearance of Anatol Kotau, who has been missing since August 21, 2025, in Turkey.

“We express our deep concern, considering that Anatol Kotau disappeared under mysterious circumstances less than two months ago. At the Council of Europe, we will do everything we can — and I sincerely hope he will be found alive and safe,” said Berge.

Anatol Kotau is the Director of International Relations at Athletes for Freedom Foundation and a respected voice in the international sports community. Many at the conference remember him from previous editions, where he spoke on behalf of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation.

For his outspoken stance in defense of athletes’ rights and his civic engagement, Kotau was persecuted by Belarusian authorities and sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison. His work has made him a target — but also a symbol of courage in sport.

The Play the Game conference gathered over 500 journalists, academics, athletes, and sports officials from around the world to address integrity, rights, and governance in global sport.

We are grateful to the conference organizers and to Mr. Berge for highlighting this case at the international level.

🔗 Read more on the Council of Europe website:

Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge focuses on integrity in sport

10/09/2025

🌍 Play the Game 2025 Conference Calls for Transparency in the Disappearance of Anatol Kotau

At the international sports conference Play the Game 2025 , held this week in Tampere, Finland, more than 500 journalists, researchers, athletes, human rights defenders, and sports leaders came together to discuss the state of integrity in global sport.

During the opening session, Jens Sejer Andersen, founder and senior advisor of the conference, issued a public call to the authorities in Turkey and Belarus to clarify the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Anatol Kotau, and to ensure his safety.

Anatol Kotau — a well-known Belarusian sports official and Director of International Relations at Athletes for Freedom Foundation — went missing in Turkey on August 21, 2025, under unclear circumstances. His case has become symbolic not only of individual risk but of the vulnerability of the international sport system to protect its own values.

Kotau previously served as Secretary General of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee, Deputy Director of the 2019 European Games in Minsk, and Head of International Relations at the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation. He is widely respected for his principled stance against repression in Belarusian sport.

👉 For his civic stance and outspoken human rights work in sport, Kotau was persecuted by Belarusian authorities and was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison. His activism and efforts to defend athletes' rights put him at significant personal risk.

We thank the organizers — and especially Stanis Elsborg, the conference director — for highlighting Anatol's case at such a high-level forum.

📍 More information in the first comment.

09/19/2025

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya Returns to the World Stage 💪

From seeking refuge during the 2021 Olympics to standing tall today as an Ambassador for Athletes for Freedom Foundation, Krystsina Tsimanouskaya continues to inspire.

This week, she proudly represents Poland in Tokyo at the World Athletics Championships, a powerful symbol of courage, resilience, and the right of every athlete to compete freely and safely.

We’re proud to stand with Krystsina — not only as an athlete, but as a voice for those still silenced.

👏 Let’s cheer her on as she takes the world stage once again.

Read more: https://athletesforfreedom.org/krystsina-tsimanouskaya-returns-to-tokyo/

09/06/2025

🛑 World sports organizations call for an investigation into the case of Anatol Kotau

International sports human rights organizations Play the Game, Global Athlete, and the Sport and Rights Alliance have supported the call of the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) for an immediate investigation into the disappearance of Anatol Kotau, who stopped communicating in Istanbul on August 21.

Anatol Kotau is the international coordinator of the AFF, former secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, and an outspoken critic of the Lukashenka regime. He has long defended the rights of athletes and has been wanted in Belarus and Russia for his civic and political activities.

📣 The organizations urge the international sports and human rights community to:
— closely monitor the situation,
— give the case wide publicity,
— demand a full investigation from the Turkish authorities.

It should be recalled that earlier, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) also called on the Turkish authorities to investigate the case of Anatol Kotau.

08/27/2025

⚡ANATOL KOTAU, MEMBER OF AFF WORKING GROUP, HAS GONE MISSING IN TURKEY

Athletes for Freedom Foundation (AFF) is deeply concerned about the disappearance of Anatol Kotau, a respected sports official, long-time advocate for athletes’ rights, and active member of the AFF working group. We call on the international sports community, human rights organizations, and diplomatic actors to take immediate action.

Anatol Kotau currently serves as Coordinator for International Relations at the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF). He is the former Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus and was Deputy Director of the 2019 European Games in Minsk. Kotau is also a member of the Ethics Commission of the World Dance Sport Federation.

For years, Kotau has been at the forefront of defending Belarusian athletes who faced repression under the Lukashenko regime. His efforts came at great personal cost: he was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison in Belarus for his political and human rights work.

On August 21, 2025, Kotau traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, on professional matters. Shortly after his arrival, contact with him was lost, and his whereabouts remain unknown. His name appears on wanted lists in both Belarus and Russia, raising serious concerns about his safety and the possibility of politically motivated persecution.

Athletes for Freedom urges:

◾Sports federations and institutions worldwide to stand in solidarity with Anatol Kotau.

◾Human rights organizations and diplomatic representatives to engage Turkish authorities and ensure an urgent investigation into his disappearance.

Kotau’s decades of service in sports, his international reputation, and his resolute dedication to athletes’ rights make his disappearance an issue of grave concern for the global sports and human rights community.

We appeal to the media, sports organizations, and all supporters to share this information widely.