AFP
Addis Ababa, August 24: Olympic marathon silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa failed to return Monday night to Ethiopia despite assurances he would not be punished for his Rio protest over political repression in his country.
According to reporters at the airport here Lilesa was not on the plane that landed carrying Ethiopia’s Olympics team. Ethiopian sports officials congratulated team members but made no mention of Lilesa’s silver medal achievement – one of only eight medals won by Ethiopia – and refused to answer any questions about the athlete.
Lilesa, who came second to Kenyan favourite Eliud Kipchoge in the Rio event Sunday, crossed his arms as he finished the marathon in a symbolic protest against the repressive Ethiopian regime. The 26-year-old repeated the gesture during the race’s medal ceremony, telling reporters later that he was afraid to go back to his homeland.
Reports have suggested that the runner may seek political asylum in the US, but a spokesperson for the US State Department refused to talk specifically about the case.
“We would encourage all governments to respect the rights of individuals to peacefully express their views,” said the US spokesperson here.
Lilesa’s agent Federico Rosa had earlier told this news agency that the runner would not be returning home after staging his protest, despite Ethiopian government assurances that Lilesa would not face any issues if he went back. “I don’t think that there is any way that he will (go back to Ethiopia),” Rosa said. “There are many people who say that it would not be good for him to go back. He could be killed.”
