Belarus sprinter heads for Austria in fresh twist to Tokyo diplomatic drama

The International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday it had launched a formal investigation into the case

Belarusian Sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya who took refuge in the Polish embassy in Tokyo, arrives at Narita International Airport to leave for Vienna in Narita, east of Tokyo, Picture: REUTERS/Issei Kato

Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya left Tokyo for Austria on Wednesday, adding another dramatic twist to a diplomatic saga in which she had sought refuge at the Polish embassy.

Tsimanouskaya had been scheduled to board a flight for Warsaw, where the government has offered her a humanitarian visa after she had refused to board a flight home against her wishes on Sunday and sought diplomatic protection.