Olympic medallist who risked his life in protest to get “heroic welcome” in Ethiopia

#Marathon #Olympics #Champions #42K #RIO2016 #rio2016olympics 1St #EliudKipchoge #Kenya 2nd #FeyisaLilesa #Ethiopia 3rd #GalenRupp #USA

A photo posted by Herley Sanchez (@herleysanchezv) on Aug 22, 2016 at 10:14am PDT

Feyisa Lilesa, the Olympic marathon silver medallist who made an anti-government protest at the end of the race, will receive a “heroic welcome” upon his return to Ethiopia. A spokesman for the Ethiopian government told the Associated Press that he will not face persecution if he decides to return to his home country.

RELATED: See the backstory on Lilesa’s protest as reported by Canadian Running.

The silver medallist, who has a wife and two kids back home, said on Sunday that “if I go back to Ethiopia, they will kill me.” Lilesa is from Oromia, a large region in Ethiopia that is threatened because of the government extending the municipal boundary of the country’s capital. His gesture at the end of the race, when he formed an “X” with his arms, was done in solidarity with the Oromo protests.

Lilesa outside of the press conference: If I go back to #ETH, they will kill me.

He has a wife and 2 kids at home. pic.twitter.com/8ouDD8U66o

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavezSI) August 21, 2016

Lilesa crossed his arms above his head in a gesture that the Oromo people use when peacefully protesting against the Ethiopian government. The Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in the Horn of Africa, have been protesting development on their lands, which has since been halted, and as many as 400 people have been killed, according to Human Rights Watch.

#mcm #ManCrushMonday goes to this brave man Feyisa Lilesa BBC: An Olympic marathon runner from Ethiopia staged a daring protest against his home government when he crossed the line in Rio on Sunday. As he took the silver medal, Feyisa Lilesa crossed his arms above – a gesture made by the Oromo people who have suffered brutal police crackdowns. New York-based Human Rights Watch says that more than 400 people were killed in clashes with the security forces in Oromia, although the government disputes this figure. Rule 50 of the Olympic charter bans political displays or protests and the IOC say they are gathering information about the case. #FeyisaLilesa #OromoProtests

A photo posted by kimmienez (@kimmienez) on Aug 22, 2016 at 5:43am PDT

Epic! #FeyisaLilesa raised his arms and crossed them in an X, a gesture of #OromoProtests https://t.co/c50cU17jNC pic.twitter.com/bi0uwzU1up

— Nas lutas (@PersonalEscrito) August 22, 2016

Lilesa is believed to be seeking asylum and is trying to obtain a visa to travel to Kenya, the United States or to remain in Brazil. A crowdfunding campaign has been set up in his name and more than $50,000 has been raised in 19 hours. The funds are to support his family.

RELATED: The must-see moments of the men’s marathon at the Rio Olympics.

The 26-year-old Oromia, Ethiopia native again protested at the press conference following Sunday’s marathon.

Press conference ends. Lilesa stands and stays in protest. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/b4D0bziBWJ

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavezSI) August 21, 2016

The long-distance runner said on Sunday afternoon that he would protest again when receiving his men’s marathon medal as part of the Olympics closing ceremony. However, Lilesa did not protest as he did earlier in the day.

The bravest of all, Feyisa Lilesa, on the podium receiving his silver medal. Men's marathon medal ceremony #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/totgDfcsEL

— Fisseha Tegegn (@total_433) August 22, 2016

Ethiopia’ s Feyisa Lilesa did not protest at the closing ceremony. My guess is that he was warned about Rule 50 of the Olympic charter.

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavezSI) August 22, 2016

It’s believed that the 26-year-old did not protest at the closing ceremony because the International Olympic Committee prohibits political protests at the Games. Athletes risk losing medals if they violate the rule.

Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states that “no form of publicity or propaganda, commercial or otherwise, may appear on persons, on sportswear, accessories or, more generally, on any article of clothing or equipment whatsoever.”