English Section

Belarusian athlete Tsimanouskaya in Polish care: deputy FM

04.08.2021 09:30
Belarusian Olympic athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who has been granted a Polish humanitarian visa, is in the care of Polish diplomats, Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said on Wednesday.
Belarusian athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya (centre) walks on her way to board a plane at Narita Airport near Tokyo on Wednesday.
Belarusian athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya (centre) walks on her way to board a plane at Narita Airport near Tokyo on Wednesday.Photo: EPA/JIJI PRESS via PAP

"Mrs. Kriscina Cinanouska is being taken care of by the Polish diplomatic service," Przydacz said in a tweet in English.

"As stated on numerous occasions, due to security considerations we do not disclose the flight details," he added.

Przydacz took to Twitter after news agencies reported that Tsimanouskaya left Tokyo aboard a flight to Vienna on Wednesday after spending two nights at the Polish embassy in the Japanese capital.

The Belarusian sprinter was initially expected to fly to Warsaw.

The 24-year-old caused a diplomatic incident on Sunday when she said her coaches had cut her Tokyo Games short, demanding she pack her bags at the Olympic village and taking her to the airport against her wishes because she had publicly criticised them, the Reuters news agency reported.

Poland this week issued a humanitarian visa to Tsimanouskaya, who had been due to compete in the women's 200m event at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday. 

The sprinter has competed at world and European championships and won the women’s 200m at the 2019 Universiade in Naples.

Last year, when the Belarusian opposition protested after the country's disputed presidential election, she condemned violence and expressed support for free speech.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Tuesday offered his country's “support and solidarity” to Tsimanouskaya.

His office tweeted on Tuesday that "in the coming days, she will arrive in Warsaw, where she will be able to develop unhindered and, if she wishes, receive further assistance."

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters