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Draft:Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation

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  • Comment: You enquired on SafariScribe's user talk page about their review. I left you some things to check for there. For your convenience I am placing them here, slightly reworded for this location:
    Before resubmit for further review please double check that:
    * Each of your 64 references is about the subject of the draft
    * Each of your 64 references is significant ccoverage of the subject of the draft
    * Each of your 64 references is independent of the subject of the draft
    * Each of your 64 references is in a reliable source
    Once you have done that please simply resubmit. Please do not resubmit prior to making these checks, and please make any edits required prior to resubmission 🇺🇦 FiddleTimtrent FaddleTalk to me 🇺🇦 12:02, 29 October 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: The draft doesn't meet WP:ORG. The sources doesn't meet the criteria especially when they only support the fact they are supporting, eg. The foundation was formed in the aftermath of the disputed presidential election held on August 9, 2020, in Belarus, where the election results were contested as Alexander Lukashenko remained in power should be referenced with sources talking about the foundation along the case. Safari ScribeEdits! Talk! 19:54, 23 October 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: It's still written in a promotional tone. Please remove anything even remotely not connected to a source. OhHaiMark (talk) 20:50, 4 September 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: I do believe the subject is notable, and I do commend you for the work you've put in thus far. Here is a non-exhaustive snippet of sentences I have NPOV concern with:
    "The BSSF operates with a primary mission to extend legal... to safeguard the rights of these athletes": The mission statement can be trimmed down, if it gets mentioned at all. See: WP:MISSION (not policy, but WP:NPOV is.)
    "In April 2022, the Lukashenko regime took the contentious step of designating the BSSF as an extremist organization": The source doesn't work. I am admittedly not familiar with Lukashenko, but in any situation without a source to demonstrate contentiousness, it should not be included. It's probably fine enough to say something like: "The Lukashenko regime labeled the BSSF as an extremist organization. {cite 1}. This action was seen as contentious by [people]. {cite 2}."
    "In light of gross violations of athletes and civilians' rights": Reuters did not use the word "gross"; this is editorializing. While human rights violations are certainly gross, the readers will be able to ascertain that on their own, without the phrasing.
    "In these deliberations, the BSSF acts as an expert and a representative of the Belarusian sporting community.": No source on this one. How does one "act like an expert"? Why not "the BSSF acts as a representative for Belarusian sports", what exactly is it they do there?
    "the BSSF pioneered the establishment of a precedent by crafting criteria": "Pioneered" is WP:PEACOCK and "crafted" is also on the side of puffery. This whole bit can be translated as: "the BSSF set criteria." I'm in agreement that the BSSF may have been responsible for the creation of a longterm precedent re: participation of Belarusian and Russian athletes, but each sentence of Wikipedia articles should be derived from exactly what is included in the references. The next sentence talks about how the practice has been widely adopted, which is good.
    There's a lot more of this in the High Profile Cases section. In addition to the above, and the examples on my talk page, these should be reworded as appropriate, or trimmed to match what the reliable sources say about the BSSF. Let me know if you have any questions, thanks again for your patience, and good luck with the further improvements. Utopes (talk / cont) 13:02, 31 August 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: Per my talkpage comments. Many aspects of the draft are promotionally worded, especially in the Impact and Recognition and High Profile Cases. What are the criteria that makes a case "high profile"?
    The draft at this time does a significant amount of editorializing. While it's generally a good idea to talk about achievements of an organization, as these often are inextricably tied to a topic's notability, this should be done so neutrally. At this time, to me it feels the article is painting the idea that "BSSF is the hero who saved sports". While this may or may not be the case, the facts should speak for themselves. In the lead for instance, instead of saying why the BSSF is notable (per MOS:LEAD), it talks about BSSF's mission statement. Please ensure this, and the rest of the article, is written according to the neutral point of view policy. Utopes (talk / cont) 12:27, 31 August 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: Please remove external links from the body of the article. Utopes (talk / cont) 14:51, 13 August 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: Please remove any unsourced information and also remove the mission and focus section. Jamiebuba (talk) 15:48, 28 September 2023 (UTC)


Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF)
FoundedAugust 2020
FounderAliaksandr Apeikin
TypeNon-profit organization
Location
  • Tallinn, Estonia, Harju County, Tallinn, North Tallinn District, Aru Street, 21. 10-318
Websitehttps://bssf.eu/en/

The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) is a non-profit organization registered in Tallinn, Estonia. It was founded in 2020 by Aliaksandr Apeikin. The organization's primary mission is to protect athletes' rights against discrimination, and to promote human rights, freedom, and democratic values through sport, while providing multilateral support to athletes and sports functionaries.

History

[edit]

The Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) was established on August 26, 2020, to support Belarusian athletes who had faced political persecution. The foundation was formed in the aftermath of the disputed presidential election held on August 9, 2020, in Belarus, where the election results were contested as Alexander Lukashenko remained in power.[1][2][3][4] This lead to widespread protests. Athletes were among those who participated in demonstrations in Minsk and other cities, opposing the outcome of the election. These protests prompted the authoritarian regime to target athletes,[5] leading to numerous prosecutions.[6][7] Some athletes faced legal consequences merely for their association with the BSSF,[8] resulting in over 100 athletes receiving fines, dismissals from their positions, or incarceration.[9][10]

In October 2020, Aliaksandra Herasimenia became the organization's Chairwoman. In 2022, she left the foundation to concentrate on giving swimming lessons in Warsaw.[11]

The BSSF provides legal, financial, and organizational support to Belarusian athletes and sports professionals who have faced challenges due to their opposition to the Lukashenko regime.[12] The foundation also collaborates with international organizations and sports federations to advocate for the rights of these athletes.[13]

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which severely affected Ukraine's sports infrastructure, the BSSF expanded its efforts to include support for Ukrainian athletes, with a focus on assisting younger athletes. This initiative involves collaboration with Ukrainian partners.[14]

In April 2022, the Lukashenko regime labeled the BSSF as an extremist organization.[15][16]

Activities and Achievements

[edit]

As of 2022, the BSSF provided financial assistance to repressed athletes, managers, and sports functionaries, amounting to hundreds of thousands of euros. The organization offered targeted support to 115 individuals who had applied for assistance at that time.[17]

The foundation organized the Marathon for Freedom, an international solidarity event in support of Belarusians, which saw participation from over 5,000 people across 45 countries.[18]

In response to concerns over the violation of athletes' and civilians' rights,[19] the BSSF initiated the process of relocating the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to Latvia.[20] The organization maintained close contact with the International Ice Hockey Federation and the tournament's sponsors, highlighting the crackdown on anti-government protesters following the contested re-election of Lukashenko. The BSSF argued that holding a major event like the Ice Hockey World Championship in Belarus could be seen as legitimizing the regime.[21]

The BSSF achieved the cancellation of several other international events scheduled to take place in Belarus, including the World Modern Pentathlon Championship,[22][23] the UEFA Futsal Champions League Final,[24] and the UEFA Women's European Under-19 Championship.[25]

Citing statements and evidence provided by the BSSF, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) initiated sanctions against the Belarus Olympic Committee and Lukashenka personally. Additionally, the International Ice Hockey Federation launched an investigation into the then-President of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association Dzmitry Baskau (Dmitriy Baskov) on accessory to murder charges.[26][27]

The organization launched the International Anti-War Declaration.[28] It has been signed by more than 500 athletes and sports representatives from 30 countries worldwide, including more than 40 Olympic and Paralympic champions and medallists, 120 World champions and medallists.[29][30]

The Foundation arranged the first SportTech Hackathon for Belarus, in which more than 20 teams of talented programmers, marketers, business analysts and managers competed for the title of the best project.[31]

The BSSF organized the Day of Sports Solidarity in 2022, celebrated by the Belarusian diaspora in 14 cities and 9 countries (USA, France, Italy, Austria, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, and Belgium) by participating in sports activities in support of the Belarusian political prisoners.[32]

In May 2023, the BSSF along with the Olga Saladukha Charitable Initiatives and the Athletes for Freedom Foundation organized and held the Athletes for Peace and Freedom Conference in Tallinn, Estonia.[33] It attracted participants and speakers from the USA, Germany, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, and Austria. Among them were multiple-time World and European champions, Olympic medalists, etc. This resulted in the signing of a joint declaration.[34]

In August 2023, the Soccer Club Pahonia was launched in Warsaw, Poland, fully comprised of Belarusian players in exile from their native Belarus on political grounds after August 2020. The club received financial and informational support from the BSSF, including contacts with the Polish Olympic Committee and the Masovian Football Association to obtain permission to participate in Polish tournaments.[35]

The Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation was involved in verifying Belarusian athletes who had qualified for the 2024 Olympics. In collaboration with Global Athletes (Canada), Athletes for Ukraine (Ukraine), and the Open Society Foundation (USA), the BSSF assessed these athletes' compliance with neutrality criteria.

Impact and Recognition

[edit]

Since its establishment in 2020, the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) has gained recognition in the field of sports policy, particularly in Eastern Europe, including countries like Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and the Baltic States.

The BSSF participates in official discussions with key entities such as the U.S. Department of State,[36][37] the European Parliament, and the European Commission. It also interacts with U.S. Senators' offices, and collaborates with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), international sports federations, national governments, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and Ministries of Sport across multiple nations, including the United States, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, among others.[38][39][40]

The BSSF participates in international discussions and strategic consultations regarding the participation of Belarusian and Russian athletes in global sporting events. The foundation advocates for increased sanctions against the involved states while also initiating projects to support Ukrainian and independent Belarusian athletes.[41]

In collaboration with Poland's Ministry of Sport and Tourism, the BSSF established a precedent by setting criteria for the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international sporting tournaments. This practice has been widely adopted by various international sports federations and governmental bodies.[42]

The BSSF established partnerships with such sports organizations as World Players Association, Athleten Deutschland,[43][44] Global Athlete,[45] FIFPRO, ISLA, UNI Global Union, and others.

In recognition of its contributions to international sport, the BSSF was awarded the top honor for best sports initiative at the Play the Game (NGO) 2022 sports conference in Denmark. The award acknowledged the foundation's efforts since its establishment.[46]

Notable Cases

[edit]

The BSSF was the first organization to have contacted multiple international establishments as Belarusian authorities were forcing Krystsina Tsimanouskaya to leave the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, and return to her native Belarus after she criticized her coaches on Instagram for registering her for the wrong event.[47] She had been warned of a possible arrest upon her return, and decided to seek help from the Japanese authorities.[48] The BSSF collaborated with the Polish authorities to arrange for Ms.Tsimanouskaya's arrival and settlement in Poland, while claiming she would be trying to seek refuge in Germany or Austria so as to mislead Belarusian authorities.[49]

Through the BSSF, Tsimanouskaya auctioned off her European Games medal[50] to raise funds for other athletes who suffered from repression.

Since 6 August, 2023, Krystsina has been able to compete internationally under Polish citizenship, as the BSSF and the Polish Athletic Association made the necessary arrangements to defend the athlete's rights.[51] She won multiple medals since settling in Poland and competing in local tournaments.[52][53] In 2024, she participated in the 2024 Summer Olympics representing Poland.[54]

The case received worldwide attention, and the BSSF's work has been recognized by multiple entities and persons, including the 71st United States secretary of state Anthony Blinken.[55]

In the case of the Olympic free skier Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, the BSSF provided multilateral support to the arrested athlete.[56] She was among more than 2000 athletes, coaches, functionaries, and personnel who signed the Open Letter[57] condemning the violence and repression Lukashenka's regime unleashed against the nation following the protests against the fraudulent re-election.

Belarusian decathlete and Olympian Andrei Krauchanka, a co-signer of the open letter, was arrested for taking part in peaceful protests in 2020. He spent 10 days behind bars, and upon release fled from Belarus to Germany with assistance from the BSSF. Later, he became a co-founder of the Athletes for Freedom Foundation[58] along with the former Ukrainian athlete and a member of Verkhovna Rada Olga Saladukha. Krauchanka left his homeland with his wife Yana Maksimava and their daughter. Yana, also an Olympian and a heptathlon athlete, said they had decided to stay in Germany out of fear of losing not only freedom but life.[59]

Another prominent athlete who was arrested and jailed by the Lukashenka regime is a former WNBA player Yelena Leuchanka. Leuchanka is a co-signer of the Open Letter against violence and for fair election, and a participant of peaceful manifestations. She received assistance from the BSSF, including financial aid.[60]

Controversies

[edit]

In December 2022, both Aliaksandr Apeikin and Aliaksandra Herasimenia were sentenced to 12 years in prison in absentia on far-fetched charges.[61][62]

Fundraising and Financials

[edit]

In May 2023, following the Athletes for Peace and Freedom Conference, by means of a combined multilateral effort involving the BSSF, the Estonian Olympic Committee, Olga Saladukha's Charitable Initiatives, and the Athletes for Freedom Foundation, Nike, Inc. uniforms and sneakers were provided for and delivered to young and aspiring Ukrainian athletes.[63]

The Foundation published its financials for the 2020-2023 period. Over €500,000 has been paid out to the repressed Belarusian athletes.[64]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lawler, Dave. "U.S. no longer recognizes Lukashenko as legitimate president of Belarus". axios.com.
  2. ^ "Belarus: Lukashenko's new mandate lacks democratic legitimacy, EU says". BBC News. 24 September 2020.
  3. ^ Michel, Charles. "EU ondemns Lukashenko's continued brutal oppression & supports democratic forces in Belarus". Twitter. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  4. ^ Prime Ministers of, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. "Joint Statement by the Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish Foreign ministers on the third anniversary of illegitimate presidential elections in Belarus". Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. Retrieved 9 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Belarus Casts Aside Dissident Athletes, Their Talent 'Buried'". nytimes.com.
  6. ^ Scollon, Michael (5 October 2020). "Belarusian Protests Spill Off The Streets, Into The Sports Arena". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
  7. ^ Jorgensen, Lars. "Belarusian athletes take lead in battle for democracy". PlayTheGame.
  8. ^ "These are the victims of repression in Belarus". The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  9. ^ Wendt, John T. "Tokyo 2020—The Games of Hope, Solidarity and Peace". American Bar Association.
  10. ^ Ames, Nick (22 July 2023). "The Guardian. "Our consciences were clear": Belarus players taking stand against a dictator". The Observer.
  11. ^ Overend, Riley (30 December 2022). "BELARUSIAN OLYMPIC MEDALIST HERASIMENIA: "GEORGE ORWELL'S '1984' IS OUR REALITY NOW"". swimswam.com.
  12. ^ "Belarus: "Sport is the propaganda of the regime, and I no longer want to be part of that."" (PDF). amnesty.nl.
  13. ^ Roth, Andrew (7 August 2021). "The support group at the heart of Belarus's sporting resistance". The Guardian.
  14. ^ Saladukha, Olga. "Support that moves Ukrainian sport forward!". Olga Saladukha's Charitable Initiatives Instagram. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation and Flagstock website included in list of extremists". TxT report.
  16. ^ "The KGB recognized the Sports Solidarity Foundation and the Homel publication Flagshtok as "extremist formations"". mediazona.by.
  17. ^ ""More than 500,000 euros". The Sports Solidarity Foundation named the amount of payments to the Belarusian athletes who suffered for their position". news.zerkalo.io.
  18. ^ "Marathon for Freedom starts online". voiceofbelarus.com.
  19. ^ "Belarus security services detain hundreds of protesters in the capital". reuters.com. 8 November 2020.
  20. ^ Tétrault-Farber, Gabrielle (19 January 2021). "Belarusian opposition celebrates Lukashenko losing major hockey tournament". reuters.com.
  21. ^ "Free Athletes Call On IIHF Sponsors Not To Support World Championship In Minsk". charter97.org.
  22. ^ Morgan, Liam (21 January 2021). "Campaign group calls on UIPM to strip Belarus of World Modern Pentathlon Championships". Inside the Games.
  23. ^ "Belarus Stripped Of 2021 World Pentathlon Championships Due To 'Instability'". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 22 January 2021.
  24. ^ Morgan, Liam (8 April 2021). "UEFA moves Futsal Champions League Finals to Zadar". Inside the Games.
  25. ^ Iveson, Ali (23 February 2021). "UEFA cancels Under-19 European Championships and strips Belarus of Futsal Champions League Finals". Inside the Games.
  26. ^ "IIHF: Belarus cooperating with probe into ice hockey boss". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  27. ^ "IIHF Suspends Lukashenka Ally Who Runs Belarusian Ice Hockey". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Anti-war declaration". Open Letter Anti-War Declaration.
  29. ^ "List of Signatories". Anti-War Declaration List of Signatories.
  30. ^ "Mikalaj Syty signs the Anti-War Declaration". 22 August 2022.
  31. ^ "SportTech Hackathon Event by Imaguru Global". LinkedIn.
  32. ^ Liberty, Radio (2 October 2022). "Belarusians celebrate the Day of Sports Solidarity". Radio Liberty.
  33. ^ "Athletes for Peace and Freedom 12-14 May, Tallinn, International Sports Conference". afpf.
  34. ^ "The declaration of the first international sports conference Athletes for Peace and Freedom". BSSF Twitter.
  35. ^ "Team Ivulin did not go to the Polish Championship because of the limit, but will play in the Cup - there they took a separate name and can meet with Lewandowski's ex-team". BY Tribuna.
  36. ^ "Under Secretary Zeya's Meeting with the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation". state.gov.
  37. ^ "US Under Secretary meets with reps of opposition Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation". Belsat.
  38. ^ "Media note on the meeting of the BSSF with with Antony Blinken".
  39. ^ "Meeting of the BSSF with the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Poland".
  40. ^ "Media note on the adopted recommendations by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Poland".
  41. ^ "BSSF creates Anti-War Declaration". news.zerkalo.io.
  42. ^ "Executive Board reconfirms Policy for AIN participation at IWF events". International Weightlifting Federation. 20 July 2023.
  43. ^ "Voice – Protection – Opportunity - Athleten Deutschland e.V." March 2, 2021.
  44. ^ "Belarus: Solidarity with the Athletes' Movement BSSF and Appeal to the Human Rights Due Diligence of Sport Federations". Athleten Deutschland. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  45. ^ "The Global Athlete Movement". Global Athlete.
  46. ^ "Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation and Khalida Popal receive the Play the Game Award 2022". PlayTheGame. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  47. ^ Hopkins, Valerie (August 2021). "Olympic Sprinter From Belarus Seeks Refuge in Japan, Fearing Jail at Home". The New York Times.
  48. ^ Roth, Andrew (2 August 2021). "Belarus sprinter faces long exile in Poland after seeking refuge". The Guardian.
  49. ^ Ingle, Sean (2 August 2021). "Belarus sprinter safe under Tokyo police protection after refusing to go home". The Guardian.
  50. ^ Weinberg, Lindsay (9 August 2021). "Why Belarusian Olympian Krystsina Tsimanouskaya Is Auctioning Medal After Seeking Asylum". E Online.
  51. ^ "Official statement of BSSF to the admission of Krystsina Tsimanouskaya to international competitions". BSSF Twitter.
  52. ^ "Krystsina Tsimanouskaya". World Athletics.
  53. ^ "NBC Sports. Belarus sprinter forced out of Tokyo Olympics to run for Poland at world championshipsv". 8 August 2023.
  54. ^ "Tsimanouskaya's Olympic Statistics". olympics.com.
  55. ^ Blinken, Anthony J. (3 February 2022). "Promoting Accountability for Transnational Repression of Belarusian Athletes Abroad". U.S. Embassy in Belarus.
  56. ^ "Belarusian police detain Olympic freestyle skier - sport foundation". National Post.
  57. ^ "Belarusian Athletes Sign Letter Condemning Rigged Polls". Barrons.
  58. ^ "About Athletes for Freedom Foundation". Athletes for Freedom Foundation.
  59. ^ Time, Current (4 August 2021). "More Belarusian Athletes Spurn Homeland In Shadow Of Olympic Scandal". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
  60. ^ "Leuchanka received more than 10,000 Euro". zerkalo.io.
  61. ^ Popeski, Ronald; Kelly, Lidia (27 December 2022). "Belarus sentences in absentia former Olympian Herasimenia to 12 years in prison - BelTA". reuters.com.
  62. ^ Blinken, Antony J. "Responding to Continued Repression by the Lukashenka Regime in Belarus – Press Statement". state.gov.
  63. ^ "Uniforms for young Ukrainian athletes". Olga Saladukha's Charitable Initiatives Instagram.
  64. ^ ""More than 500,000 euros". The Sports Solidarity Fund named the amount of payments to the Belarusian athletes, who suffered for their position". news.zerkalo.io.
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