Tag Archives: Yuri Moisevich

Athletics

AIU begins investigations to probe Belarus officials removed from Olympics

Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has launched investigation into two Belarus coaches who allegedly tried to force an athlete to fly home from the Tokyo Olympics.

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya said she was taken to the airport in Tokyo against her will after criticizing her coaches.

The sprinter received police protection after voicing fears for her safety and was later granted asylum by Poland.

Tsimanouskaya was ordered to fly home after criticizing coaches for entering her in the 4x400m relay without her knowledge and was taken to the airport in Tokyo before she could run in her chosen 200m event.

The head coach Yuri Moisevich and team official Artur Shumak were then kicked out of the Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), days after they ordered Tsimanouskaya to pack her bags and go to the airport.

“The IOC and World Athletics have jointly agreed to continue the investigation and to open a formal procedure [regarding] the two coaches,” it said in a statement.

“To this effect, and given that the Olympic Games have now concluded, it has been decided that the AIU – the independent body created by World Athletics to manage all integrity issues (both doping-related and non-doping-related) for the sport of athletics – will conduct the procedure, with the full collaboration and support of the IOC.

“The AIU will publish the outcome of its investigation when this has been finalised.”

Athletics

IOC strips two Belarus Olympics coaches their accreditation

Two Belarus coaches allegedly involved in attempting to force sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya to return home have had their accreditation rescinded and been asked to leave the Olympic village.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday it had taken the action against Artur Shumak and Yuri Moisevich, who it says also face IOC disciplinary proceedings launched two days ago.

The committee said the pair had left the village and “will be offered an opportunity to be heard”.

Tsimanouskaya arrived in Warsaw on Wednesday evening after she refused her coaches’ alleged instruction to return to her homeland. She sought Japanese police protection and was offered a humanitarian visa by Polish authorities.

The Belarus National Olympic Committee at the time had said coaches withdrew Tsimanouskaya from the Games on doctors’ advice about her emotional and psychological state.