Belarusian athlete Kristina Timanovskaya is “safe” after an alleged kidnapping attempt. This was stated by the International Olympic Committee (CIO). The Belarusian opposition on Sunday accused the Minsk authorities of attempting to kidnap the athlete in Tokyo and force her to return home. IOC spokesman Mark Adams said he spent the night in a hotel at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in a “safe environment”. It is now in the custody of local authorities and the IOC has asked the Belarusian Olympic Committee for a written report on the matter. IOC representatives spoke to her directly in the night: Timanovskaya assured them he felt safe, Adams said. In the next few hours, further contacts between the authorities and the athlete are expected, also to define the next steps. Timanovskaya was intercepted at the airport as she was preparing to leave with a group of compatriots. The athlete reportedly went to the Japanese police at the airport. Timanovskaya was due to take to the track today for the first heats of the 200 meters. The Belarusian Olympic Committee announced that the sprinter would not compete due to her “emotional-psychological condition”. Timanovskaya denied the official version with a post on Instagram and to the Euradio broadcaster he openly denounced: “They just told me to pack my bags and fly home”. Independent Belarusian media reported that the 24-year-old was taken to the airport after making critical comments about Belarusian sports officials in Tokyo. At the airport, however, the athlete turned to the police, effectively blocking the return home.