Belarus sprinter safe under Tokyo police protection after refusing to go home

• Krystsina Tsimanouskaya spends night at airport hotel
• 200m runner feared for safety after criticism of team officials

The Belarus athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who alleges she was taken against her will by team officials to Tokyo airport, is being protected by police and the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, are also involved, the IOC confirmed on Monday.

Tsimanouskaya, who was due to compete in the women's 200m on Monday, sought the protection of Japanese police at Haneda airport on Sunday so that she would not have to board a flight back to Belarus after criticising team officials.