Belarus athlete under protection in Japan after forced flight claim

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 Aug. 2.

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Sprinter Kristina Timanovskaya, 24, missed her chance of competing in Tokyo when the 200 meters heats went ahead without her in the Olympic Stadium.

Japan's government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said authorities understood Timanovskaya had "expressed a will to seek asylum", but offered no further details.

Timanovskaya 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 Kristina Timanovskaya directly last night," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said on Aug. 2.

"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.

Reports said the runner was seeking to apply for asylum, possibly in Europe. The IOC would be "talking again to her this morning, to understand... what she wants to pursue, and we will give her support in that decision", Adams said.
He also said officials from the UN refugee agency UNHCR were involved in the case.

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Japanese police and the foreign and justice ministry in Tokyo declined to comment on the case. UNHCR's Tokyo office also had no immediate comment.

Kato told reporters that Timanovskaya was speaking to the IOC, organizers and "other relevant organizations" about next steps.

"The government will continue closely cooperating with relevant organizations and will take appropriate measures," he said.

Japan will handle the case "based...