(CNN) Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia may have turned himself into a political exile because of the way he won a silver medal in the Olympics marathon on Sunday.
He strode across the finish line with his arms crossed over his head in a sign of solidarity for the Oromo people, his native group and the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. He repeated the sign at a press conference.
In an interview after the race, Lilesa said he wanted to draw attention to the government's ongoing persecution of the Oromos.
By speaking out, he said, he put himself into such danger that he can't go home.
READ: What is behind Ethiopia's Oromo protests
"I really think that I would be killed," he said -- or imprisoned. Some of his family members are already in prison, he said, and he worries about the safety of his wife and two children.
Lilesa said he may stay in Brazil or go to Kenya or the United States, depending on whether he can obtain a visa for those moves.
It's unclear if his gesture with the arms will affect his medal. In the past, the Olympics committee has stripped athletes of their medals for political protests, as when American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the black power salute on the medal stand at the 1968 games.
The Oromo make up at least a third of Ethiopia's 100 million people. But they have been marginalized for decades, with tensions rising recently as the government promoted development that took over over Oromo farmland.
Huge protests by the Oromos have swept the streets of Ethiopia.
The government was brutal in putting down the demonstrations, nonprofit groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reported.
"In nine months, more than 1,000 people have been killed," Lilesa said on Sunday.
CNN could not immediately confirm this statement. Human Rights Watch said that since November, more than 400 people have been killed and tens of thousands arrested. Thousands more have been jailed.
Rio Olympics: Day 16
The U.S. basketball team celebrates after defeating Serbia in the gold medal game on Sunday, August 21. The Americans' victory marks their third straight Olympic gold.
U.S. basketball player DeAndre Jordan goes for the hoop during the final game against Serbia.
Claressa Shields of the United States celebrates her victory over the Netherlands' Nouchka Fontijn in the middleweight 75-kilogram (165-pound) final boxing bout. Shields is the first U.S. boxer to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals.
Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa crosses his wrists above his head as he finishes the marathon. Lilesa earned silver in the race and
said his gesture was in solidarity with
the protesters in his home country, who have been staging a resistance movement against the Ethiopian government.
Brazilian volleyball player Wallace de Souza, in yellow, spikes the ball in the gold medal game against Italy. The Brazilians won.
Spain's Juan Carlos Navarro, left, goes for the basket against Ryan Broekhoff of Australia during their bronze medal basketball game. The Spaniards won 89-88.
A dog joins the race as runners approach the finish line of the men's marathon.
U.S. volleyball players celebrate after winning bronze in a game against Russia.
Swiss cyclist Nino Schurter, left, and Jaroslav Kulhavy of the Czech Republic take part in the cross-country mountain bike race. Schurter and Kulhavy earned gold and silver, respectively, while Spain's Carlos Coloma Nicolas finished with the bronze.
France's Nikola Karabatic, center, vies with Denmark's Henrik Toft Hansen and Mikkel Hansen during their gold medal handball match. The Danish came out on top, defeating the French 28-26.
U.S. wrestler Kyle Snyder celebrates winning gold over Azerbaijan's Khetag Gazyumov in the freestyle 97-kilogram (214-pound) match.
Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya celebrates after earning gold in the marathon.
Rhythmic gymnasts from Spain perform in the team all-around final. They placed second, with Russia taking the gold and Bulgaria the bronze.
"Human Rights Watch's research indicates that security forces repeatedly used lethal force, including live ammunition, to break up many of the 500 reported protests that have occurred since November 2015," the group reported on its website.
In response to the protests and the report from Human Rights Watch, Getachew Reda, Ethiopia's Minister of Communications, told CNN that the country's security response was standard police protocol to disperse "rioters." He also disputed the number of deaths.
Some of the protesters have been armed with guns and hand grenades, he added.
Rio Olympics: Closing ceremony
People wave flags from Brazil, the United States and Colombia during the Olympics closing ceremony at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, August 21.
Samba dancers perform in the "Cidade Maravilhosa" segment of the ceremony.
Fireworks explode over the stadium.
Members of the Australian delegation take a selfie.
The cauldron that held the Olympic flame is seen after the flame was extinguished.
Athletes cast shadows as they wave flags.
Dancers perform during the ceremony.
Singer Mariene de Castro performs in front of the Olympic Cauldron before the flame was extinguished.
The Olympic flag is lowered.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives on stage. Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
The words "thank you" are projected in Portuguese and Japanese.
A dancer is seen up close during the ceremony.
Brazilian singer Lenine performs during the "Recognition of the Volunteers."
From left, men's marathon silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia, gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya and bronze medalist Galen Rupp of the United States are seen on a giant screen as they stand on the podium during the closing ceremony.
Athletes parade during the ceremony.
Dancers perform the "Bringing Clay to Life" routine.
Dancers perform the "Lace Making" routine.
Athletes walk through the stadium.
Jackie Briggs from the United States wears Olympic ring sunglasses.
Dancers perform during the closing ceremony.
Singer-songwriter Julia Michaels and electronic music artist Kygo perform the song "Carry Me."
Members of Team Great Britain hold up their illuminated shoes.
Athletes wearing illuminated shoes march during the closing ceremony.
Athletes shield themselves from the rain.
Dancers perform during the event.
Athletes wear plastic raincoats.
Athletes from Japan march during the "Heroes of the Games" segment.
Team Great Britain celebrates during the "Heroes of the Games" segment.
Athletes enter the stadium.
Spectators watch the closing ceremony.
US gymnast Simone Biles holds the American flag.
Dancers perform in the "Olympic Wings" segment of the event.
A dancer performs during the closing ceremony.
A spectator takes pictures of the fireworks.
Children sing the national anthem of Brazil.
The International Olympic Committee flag waves in the stadium.
In a report on the Oromos, Amnesty International said at least 5,000 Oromos were arrested because of peaceful protests or opposition to the government between 2011 and 2014.
Lilesa won silver on Sunday with a time of 2:09:54, finishing behind liud Kipchoge of Kenya. He finished with a time of 2:08:44.