Belarus coach alleged with removing an athlete during Tokyo Olympics 2020 suspended
The Belarus Olympic team had come under severe heat after Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya was allegedly sent back during the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The sprinter’s coach tried to send her back from the Tokyo Olympics for her criticism of the team’s coaching. Now, the coach has been charged with a breach of sports integrity standards by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The AIU is the overseeing body for disciplinary actions in track and field events. The disciplinary body announced charges against Yury Maisevich, the Belarusian track, and field coach responsible for Krystsina’s dismissal. They have alleged the coach of misconduct and breaking the sport’s integrity code of conduct which involves honesty, dignity, and protecting reputation.
The athlete’s dismissal came into account when she questioned her admission into the 4×400 relay without prior knowledge. The Belarusian government and the state are known for their repressive actions against its citizens. When Krystsina returned home to Belarus, she faced immense flack from the propaganda propelled by the state-run media. Krystsina has now sought asylum in Poland and has transitioned into a Polish citizen.
Belarus coach Yury Maisevich gets reprimanded for sending Krystsina Tsimanouskaya from Tokyo 2020
In her first Olympic games in Tokyo 2020, Krystsina Tsimanouskaya had to face an unfortunate set of events that would have seriously jeopardized her career. The sprinter finished 4th in the first round heat of the 100m race with a time of 11.47 seconds. However, the Belarusian Olympic Committee (NOC RB) withdrew her participation from the Olympics moments before her appearance at the 200m sprint race.
Krystsina had earlier criticized the NOC RB for allegedly putting her name in the 4X400 relay race, a format in which she had no prior experience. She further alleges that this decision was taken without her consent. Following this, the Belarusian media reported the athlete was forcibly asked to return to her country. Citing the dangers of criticism and resentment in Belarus, Krystsina sought asylum in Poland through a humanitarian visa.
In their charges against the Belarusian coach, the AIU released a statement, “The AIU alleges that, in respect of these circumstances of Tsimanouskaya’s removal from the Olympic Games, Maisevich did not act with integrity and acted in bad faith; failed to safeguard the athlete’s dignity and his actions constituted verbal and mental harassment; and that he brought athletics generally into disrepute.”
Currently, Krystsina has successfully gained Polish citizenship and will soon be seen competing from Poland in the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024.
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Siddid Dey Purkayastha
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