In accordance to media stories, Belarusian Olympic sprinter Kristina Timanowskaja is seeking asylum at the Polish embassy in Tokyo. The athlete, who, in accordance to the opposition, really should be kidnapped from Japan by the authoritarian authorities of her country, arrived in Poland on Monday in Tokyo. Poland had earlier offered 24-yr asylum to the Czech Republic. Timanovskaya is reportedly scheduled to fly from Tokyo to Warsaw on Wednesday.

The 24-calendar year-old athlete explained in a movie posted on Sunday by the opposition Belarusian Athletes’ Association Belarusian Sport Solidarity Basis (BSSF) that she had flown out of Japan towards her will after publicly criticizing Belarusian athletics officers. The BSSF spoke of a “violent” exit endeavor.

The sprinter refused the flight, addressed the Japanese law enforcement, and then expended the night in a hotel at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. In accordance to the International Olympic Committee, she is in a “secure environment”.

They spoke with her once more on Monday and will continue on to do so together with the Japanese authorities “to determine the following phase in the coming days.” They will go on to talk to Timanovskaya about what she is planning and “support” her in her final decision.

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Soon after the Czech Republic, Poland has also presented the sprinter a humanitarian visa. Your nation is ready to aid, Vice Chancellor Marcin Przydacz wrote on the short information assistance Twitter on Sunday evening. “You have the totally free alternative to keep on your sports job in Poland if you want,” the politician ongoing.

The Belarusian Olympic Committee (NOK) experienced previously said on Telegram that the athlete had been examined by a physician and would not take part in even further competitions due to her “emotional and psychological point out”. Timanovskaya identified as this a “lie” on Instagram. She informed the Euroradio radio station: “You just instructed me to pack my points and fly residence.” (dpa)