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A Belarus athletics coach who allegedly tried to force an athlete to fly home from the Tokyo Olympics has been charged with improper conduct.<\/span><\/p>\n The sprinter received police protection after voicing fears for her safety and was later granted asylum by Poland.<\/span><\/p>\n Yury Maisevic has been charged with three offences by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).<\/span><\/p>\n The AUI alleges that Maisevic, who was Belarus’ head coach at the Tokyo Games, “verbally and mentally harassed” Tsimanouskaya.<\/span><\/p>\n Coach Artur Shumak, who was also under investigation, has not been charged.<\/span><\/p>\n “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,” said the integrity unit.<\/span><\/p>\n “An important role of the AIU is to safeguard athletes and protect them from harassment. The AIU has investigated this matter thoroughly and considers there is a case to answer for a breach of the Integrity Code of Conduct,” said AIU head Brett Clothier.<\/span><\/p>\n Tsimanouskaya posted a video online saying that she was entered into the 400m relay event at short notice by Belarusian officials, after some team-mates were found to be ineligible to compete.<\/span><\/p>\n State media criticised her after she posted the clip, with one television channel saying she lacked “team spirit”.<\/span><\/p>\n She said officials came to her room and gave her an hour to pack her bags before being escorted to Tokyo’s Haneda airport.<\/span><\/p>\n