A Belarusian sprinter said she was taken to the airport against her wishes on Sunday to board a flight back home after she complained about national coaches at the Tokyo Olympics, but planned to avoid getting on the plane.
Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who was due to compete in the women's 200 metres on Monday, told Reuters she had sought the protection of Japanese police at Tokyo's Haneda airport so she would not have to board the flight.
"I will not return to Belarus," she told Reuters in a message over Telegram.
The Belarusian Olympic Committee said in a statement that coaches had decided to withdraw Tsimanouskaya from the Games on doctors' advice about her "emotional, psychological state".
The Belarusian Olympic Committee did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.
A Reuters photographer witnessed the athlete standing next to Japanese police.
"I think I am safe," Tsimanouskaya said. "I am with the police."
A police officer at Haneda airport said they were with a female Olympic athlete from Belarus at Terminal 3.
