Tokyo Olympics: Belarus sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya under protection in Japan after ‘forced flight’ claim

Sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya refused to board flight from Tokyo after being taken to airport against her wishes

Athlete spent night in airport hotel after she went to Japanese police at Haneda airport seeking protection

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Krystsina Tsimanouskaya is at the centre of a brewing diplomatic incident. Photo: Reuters

Published: 1:22am, 2 Aug 2021Updated: 12:57pm, 2 Aug 2021

A Belarusian Olympic athlete who claimed her team was forcing her to return home spent the night under protection and may be seeking asylum, officials said on Monday.

Sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, 24, missed her chance of competing in Tokyo when the 200 metres heats went ahead without her in the Olympic Stadium.

Japan’s government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said authorities understood Tsimanouskaya had “expressed a will to seek asylum”, but offered no further details.

Tsimanouskaya spent the night in an airport hotel after seeking protection late Sunday with Tokyo 2020 officials to avoid getting on a plane, the International Olympic Committee said.

“The IOC and Tokyo 2020 spoke to the Belarusian athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya last night,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Monday.

“She assured us and has assured us that she feels safe and secure. She spent the night at an airport hotel in a safe and secure environment,” he added.