Since the Rio Olympics, when Feyisa Lilesa made an anti-government gesture during the marathon, he has traveled from country to country out of fear of going home. Jerseys NFL Wholesale . He worries about the family he left behind in Ethiopia. His young kids ask when they will see him again.That one he just cant answer at the moment.Lilesa became an international figure when he crossed his wrists at the finish line last month in Brazil on his way to a silver medal. The gesture drew global attention to the recent deadly protests in his home region of Oromia.Concerned with what might happen to him should he return to his country, Lilesa spent 2+ extra weeks in Rio before arriving in the U.S. about a week ago on a special skills visa, which allows him to train and compete until January. He hasnt seen his wife, 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter since Aug. 17.If I wouldve taken my medal and went back to Ethiopia, that wouldve been the biggest regret of my life, Lilesa said through a translator in a phone interview with The Associated Press as he begins speaking out in the U.S. I wanted to be a voice for a story that wasnt getting any coverage.The Oromia region has experienced enormous anti-government protests in the past few months. The government is now vowing to take drastic measures to deal with mismanagement, corruption and nepotism. But yet, the government has shown few signs of opening up the political space for opposition.Many social media users have changed their profile pictures with the image of Lilesa crossing his wrists, and many are describing him as a national hero for speaking up and bringing it to the international arena.The crossed-wrists gesture has been widely used by anti-government protesters in recent nationwide demonstrations as a sign of peaceful resistance, and before that by the Muslim community when it revolted against the government. It is meant to symbolize being handcuffed by security forces.Lilesas not alone, either: Fellow Ethiopian Ebisa Ejigu flashed a similar gesture when he won the Quebec City Marathon on Aug. 28. Over the weekend, another Ethiopian, Tamiru Demisse, also made the X sign at the Rio Paralympic Games after capturing silver in the 1,500 meters.That solidarity meant a great deal to Lilesa.It gives me hope -- them following in my footsteps and making a stand by saying, `Enough, said Lilesa, who has no plans to file for political asylum.With about 40 million people, the Oromo are Ethiopias largest ethnic group. Their region has seen anti-government protests since November 2015 that activists say have left more than 400 dead.Ethiopias government is often accused of silencing dissent, even blocking internet access at times. Recently, video obtained by the AP showed Ethiopian security forces beating, kicking and dragging several protesters during a rare demonstration in the capital.Theres been increased international pressure on Ethiopia and its treatment of protesters. The United States, for one, last week said it has raised grave concerns about what it called the excessive use of force against protesters in Ethiopia, describing the situation there as extremely serious and calling for an independent investigation.What we are asking for is peace, justice and freedom, said Lilesa, whos currently in Washington, D.C., but hoping to train in a city with a higher elevation. If the situation continues as it is, without any change, its going to degenerate into a conflict that could take a very, very bad direction. ... We need peace. We need change.Lilesa said his wifes brother -- a student at Mada Walabu University in Bale -- was arrested in a protest nearly eight months ago. They still dont know his whereabouts.One of my main concerns if she finds out her brother was one of those who were killed is what will she do? How will she feel? he said. Im not there to support her and comfort her.Ethiopias state broadcaster, EBC, did not re-broadcast images of Lilesas gesture when he finished runner-up on Aug. 21. Some people who were watching live and cheering for Lilesa quickly hushed when they saw his gesture.Lilesa said in a follow-up email hes received no backlash from the International Olympic Committee for his gesture.They came and asked me what the gesture was. I explained, Lilesa said. They empathized with my situation.And while the government assures him he will not face prosecution upon his return home and will have a heroic welcome, as a government spokesman recently said, hes wary of it.Usually, what the government says and what the government does are very opposite, Lilesa said. If change comes to Ethiopia, and the regime changes, and people are finally free, I look forward to the day I can go home and meet with my people. Live with my family in peace.---This story has been corrected to show that the spelling of Lilesas first name is Feyisa, not Feysia.---AP Sports Writer Pat Graham reported from Denver and AP Writer Elias Meseret from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Jerseys From China . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Jerseys Cheap . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. http://www.jerseysauthenticforsale.com/ . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. RALEIGH, N.C. -- Rookie Sebastian Aho needed a month to finally get his first NHL goal, and he and linemates Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen celebrated with an offensive outburst.Aho scored his first two NHL goals, Staal had a goal and three assists and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 5-1 on Saturday night.It was good night for us, the 19-year-old Aho said. It was a big goal for me and it feels good. Its my first NHL goal. Our whole line played well.Aho added an assist and Teravainen had a goal and three assists.Tonight, that was a very good line, Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said. And that should be a good line. Theres plenty of hockey sense there. Teravainen seems like hes kind of fitting in and comfortable. Now that Ahos gotten on the board, I think hes going to take a step also.Victor Rask also scored for Carolina. Cam Ward made 20 saves.We had breakdowns in position and we were losing battles, Washington defenseman Matt Niskanen said. To (Carolinas) credit, they played really hard and made things happen and we made too many mistakes.Washington was coming off an overtime win in Chicago on Friday night.When you play back-to-backs, and its no excuse, you have to be mentally sharp and mentally tough, Caps coach Barry Trotz said. You just have to manage the game real good. Youve got to play smarter and we didnt do that.Evgeny Kuznetsov scored with 7:58 left in the first period to put Washington aheead 1-0, but backup Philipp Grubauer stopped only 33 of 37 shots. Jerseys NFL Discount. Aho scored 35 seconds later, getting his first career goal from a sharp angle to tie it.Teravainen put the Hurricanes up 2-1 with 2:59 left in the first when he was left open in the slot and shot in a pass from Aho.Staal scored on the power play early in the second period when he slipped a shot off a rebound. Staal had started the play by keeping the puck in the offensive zone at the blue line and then working his way to the net.We skated well tonight, Staal said. I think they had a tough game last night and we wanted to get the jump on them early and thats what we did.Rask scored his sixth goal of the season in the second for a 4-1 edge.Carolina withstood Washingtons push in the second period when two Hurricanes broke their sticks on defense. Carolina was finally able to clear the puck and prevent Washington from scoring.Aho added an empty-net goal with 3:50 left.Game notes Staals four points gave him 400 career. It was his first multipoint game of the season. ... Rask and Teravainen scored for the second straight game. ... The Capitals had a first-period goal for the 11th time in 14 games.UP NEXTCapitals: Visit Columbus to wrap a three-game trip.Hurricanes: Host San Jose for the third tilt of a five-game homestand. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '