Belarus Tries to Send Olympic Sprinter Home After Criticism

TOKYO—A Belarusian sprinter who experienced publicly criticized the country’s nationwide coaches at the Tokyo Olympics claimed Sunday in a social-media movie that she was taken to an airport to be sent residence against her will.

“I am asking the International Olympic Committee for enable,” Krystsina Tsimanouskaya claimed in a movie posted on quite a few Belarusian opposition websites. “They put tension on me and they test to get me out of the country with out my consent. Thus, I ask the IOC to intervene in this situation.”

Tsimanouskaya claimed later on Sunday that she was safe at a Tokyo police station, in accordance to the Belarusian Activity Solidarity Basis, an group that supports opposition athletes. She didn’t board the flight, in accordance to the group.

Very last 7 days, Tsimanouskaya complained on social media she was put on the roster for the 4×400 meter relay, scheduled for Thursday. She claimed in an Instagram publish that she experienced hardly ever operate that race and the workforce coaches included her to the relay with out her realizing.

“They decided to do everything guiding my back again, irrespective of the reality that I attempted to uncover out this information, but received only an overlook,” she wrote. “Believe me, even nevertheless I have hardly ever operate four hundred meters, I would be all set to aid the workforce and the women and go on the same observe with them, BUT, I consider that larger folks must have respect for us as athletes and in some cases ask for our opinion!”