The two Belarusian coaches who have been accused of trying to force sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya to return home to her country prematurely have now had their Olympic coaching accreditations rescinded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They have reportedly also been ordered to leave the Olympic Village with immediate effect.
The IOC confirmed the news on Friday morning, while adding that Yuri Moisevich and Artur Shumak now also face disciplinary action apparently launched a couple of days before. The committee added that the duo will be offered an opportunity to state their case.
Tsimanouskaya has in the meantime arrived in Warsaw, Poland, after having accepted a humanitarian visa offered to her by Polish immigration and policing authorities. She arrived in Warsaw on Wednesday night and has in the meantime spoken out freely for the first time about her traumatic experience. She’s apparently now telling her fellow Belarusians to not be afraid to speak out when under pressure from their government.
The star sprinter took the decision not to return home to Belarus after having been telephonically informed by her grandmother that she was being called a traitor on local television for having criticized her coaches. She was allegedly also referred to as mentally unwell.
The events surrounding the 24-year-old could very well further incriminate Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, who remains under heavy sanctions from the West.
While Tsimanouskaya has not ruled out a return to her home country, she explained this week that she would only do so once she considered it safe.
# | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ladbrokes | 5/5 | 100% Match up to $250 | Bet now Review | ||
2 | Palmerbet | 4.9/5 | 100% Match Bonus | Bet now | ||
3 | Picklebet | 4.8/5 | Login to see promotions | Bet now |