Belarusian Olympic sprinter seeks refuge in Japan after publicly criticising coach

Belarusian Olympic sprinter Krystina Tsimanouskaya, a critic of Belarusian leer Alexander Lukashenko's regime, was being taken to airport against her will on Sunday to board a flight back home to Belarus after she publicly spoke about “negligence” against Olympic games coaches. “I will not return to Belarus,” she said in a statement on Telegram, published by Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF).

Tsimanouskaya was due to finish women’s 200 meters when she h complained about coaches and ir careless practices. As she was forced to exit Japan immediately, she sought assistance from Japanese police at Tokyo’s Haneda airport where she was being coerced to board plane. 

Belarussian Olympics sprinter seeks refuse in Japan

In an official statement Sunday, Belarusian Olympic Committee stated that unanimous decision was reached to dismiss Belarusian player from Olympics. authorities cited reason for dismissal as Tsimanouskaya’s “emotional” and “psychological state” as y alleged that player wasn’t fit for continuing her participation in global game. As Belarusian player was seen taken to airport forcibly repatriated to Belarus,  she caused an international sensation.

"I am safe,” Tsimanouskaya later confirmed in a statement while she was photographed standing next to Japanese cops. “I’m with police,” latter told reporters that h flocked airport amid controversy on July 31.

Kristina Timanovskaya vocal critic of Alexer Lukashenko

Furrmore, ousted Olympic player stated that police were in process of deciding where she was going to spend night.  24-year-old elaborated that she was asked to leave after her criticism of Belarus's athletics federation after y entered her in relay race without notifying her first.  Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Poland condemned alleged abduction of Belarusian sprinter as he posted on Twitter: "Poland is rey to help Krystina Tsimanouskaya a Belarusian athlete ordered by Lukashenka regime to return from Olympic Games to Minsk. She was offered a humanitarian visa and is free to pursue her sporting career in Poland if she so chooses."

"It turns out our great bosses as always decided everything for us," she wrote in her now disappeared Instagram story. “I’m asking International Olympic Committee for help,” she said in a video posted 

In a separate Instagram post, Tsimanouskaya continued that she was handed an explanation for why she wasn't given a notice first, perhaps she wouldn’t have "reacted so harshly". "If I h been told in vance, explained whole situation, and asked if I was able to run 400 meters, I wouldn't have reacted," she said. "But y decided to do everything behind my back,” Belarus player ded.

[Credit: Twitter/@BelDiasporaAt]

Meanwhile, Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) said on its Telegram channel that it was Belarusian officials trying to deport her. Olympic player also posted a video in which she could be seen making appeals to  International Olympic Committee to intervene and let her stay. 

"I am under pressure and y are trying to take me out of country without my consent. I ask International Olympic Committee to interfere,” Belarusian sprinter could be heard saying in footage.

Belarusian Olympic Committee falsely claimed that player was being sent away due to a medical emergency. Although in her video clip, Timanovskaya can be heard saying that her country's committee’s claims were "not true,” ding that she wasn’t even inspected by any doctors if that would have been case. 

In a tweet later, IOC said, “ IOC and Tokyo 2020 have spoken to Krystsina Tsymanouskaya directly tonight. She is with authorities at Haneda airport and is currently accompanied by a staff member of Tokyo 2020. She has told us that she feels safe.” It continued, “ IOC and Tokyo 2020 will continue ir conversations with Krystsina Tsymanouskaya and authorities to determine next steps in upcoming days.”

 IOC stated that it was seeking clarification from Belarussian officials about Tsymanouskaya's deportation. Belarusian sprinter h earlier bagged two medals, a gold in 2019 Summer Universie in Italy, and a silver in 100m and 200m sprints, and has competed in a total of nine international competitions, according to reports. She h stood second in 100m race at 2017 European U23 Championships organized in Poland. But after she criticized Belarus Olympics Committee, country's leing media channels labelled her as someone "lacking team spirit." It is being reported that she is apparently "scared" to go back home. Correspondents on scene were speculating that player would be seeking asylum in Europe.