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Belarus Olympics: Krystsina Tsimanouskaya refuses to fly home Belarus Olympics: Krystsina Tsimanouskaya refuses 'forced' flight home
(about 2 hours later)
Krystsina Tsimanouskaya was taken to Haneda Airport on Sunday Krystsina Tsimanouskaya asked the International Olympic Committee for help
A Belarusian sprinter voiced fears for her safety as she refused an order to fly home early from the Olympics for criticising her coaches.A Belarusian sprinter voiced fears for her safety as she refused an order to fly home early from the Olympics for criticising her coaches.
Krystsina Tsimanouskaya says she was forced to pack before being taken to the airport in Tokyo against her will.Krystsina Tsimanouskaya says she was forced to pack before being taken to the airport in Tokyo against her will.
The 24-year-old says she sought police protection at the terminal so she would not have to board the flight.The 24-year-old says she sought police protection at the terminal so she would not have to board the flight.
"I think I am safe. I am with the police," she was heard saying, as she was pictured surrounded by officers."I think I am safe. I am with the police," she was heard saying, as she was pictured surrounded by officers.
The sprinter, who was due to compete in the women's 200m event on Monday, had complained about being entered into another race at short notice. The sprinter, who was due to compete in the women's 200m event on Monday, had complained on social media about being entered into another race at short notice.
She has now called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to intervene. She says she was "put under pressure" by team officials to return home and asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for help.
"They are trying to get me out of the country without my permission," she said in a video posted on the Telegram channel of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), a group that supports athletes jailed or sidelined for their political views."They are trying to get me out of the country without my permission," she said in a video posted on the Telegram channel of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), a group that supports athletes jailed or sidelined for their political views.
"I am asking the IOC to get involved." The IOC said it was seeking clarification from Belarussian officials - who earlier said she was taken off the team because of her "emotional and psychological condition".
In a short statement the IOC said it had seen media reports about the sprinter and had asked Belarus's National Olympic Committee for clarification. The IOC said it had spoken to Ms Tsimanouskaya. "She has told us she feels safe," it said.
According to Belarus journalist Tadeusz Giczan, the flight has taken off without the sprinter on board. She is now with police at Tokyo's Haneda airport. The flight took off without Ms Tsimanouskaya on board. She is now "safe" and in police protection, the BSSF's Anatol Kotau told the BBC.
Turkish Airlines Tokyo-Istanbul flight took off without Tsimanouskaya. Right now she appears to be at the police station at Haneda airport. Representatives of the Japanese MFA are on their way to her. pic.twitter.com/Sw9ngMqwyX "The police are securing safety for her right now," he said, but added she was not sure where she would spend the night.
Earlier Ms Tsimanouskaya told radio station European Radio for Belarus (ERB) she was afraid to return to her country.Earlier Ms Tsimanouskaya told radio station European Radio for Belarus (ERB) she was afraid to return to her country.
She had previously alleged in a video posted online that she was entered into this Thursday's 400m relay event at short notice by Belarusian officials, after some team mates were found to be ineligible to compete. The athlete sought police protection at the airport terminal
She had previously alleged in a video posted online that she was entered into this Thursday's 400m relay event at short notice by Belarusian officials, after some teammates were found to be ineligible to compete.
State media criticised her after she posted the video, with ONT television channel saying that she lacked "team spirit".State media criticised her after she posted the video, with ONT television channel saying that she lacked "team spirit".
On Sunday she says that her coaches came to her room and told her to pack and to fly home. She was reportedly booked onto Turkish Airlines flight 199 from Tokyo's Haneda airport to Istanbul. On Sunday she says that officials came to her room and gave her an hour to to pack before being escorted to Tokyo's Haneda airport.
The sprinter told Reuters she was removed from her team because she "spoke on my Instagram about the negligence of our coaches".The sprinter told Reuters she was removed from her team because she "spoke on my Instagram about the negligence of our coaches".
The Belarus Olympic Team however said later that she was taken off the team because of her "emotional and psychological condition", and would not compete in either the 200m race or the 400m relay event.
The BSSF was set up in August 2020 to support athletes during protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, re-elected last year in a disputed presidential vote.The BSSF was set up in August 2020 to support athletes during protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, re-elected last year in a disputed presidential vote.
Government forces brutally cracked down after hundreds of thousands protested about the election. Some of those who took part were also national-level athletes, who were stripped of funding, cut from national teams and detained for demonstrating.Government forces brutally cracked down after hundreds of thousands protested about the election. Some of those who took part were also national-level athletes, who were stripped of funding, cut from national teams and detained for demonstrating.