EN
Athletics Integrity Unit - Logo
AIU CHARGES MAISEVICH FOR TSIMANOUSKAYA’S ‘TOKYO 2020’ INCIDENT – Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU)
19 JANUARY 2023, MONACO: The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged Belarusian coach Yury Maisevich for alleged breaches of the World Athletics’ Integrity Code of Conduct relating to the withdrawal of sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in August 2021.
Maisevich, Belarus’ athletics head coach at the Games, has been charged with committing breaches of the following Integrity Standards in the Integrity Code of Conduct: Honesty (Rule 3.3.1), Dignity (Rule 3.3.10) and Protect Reputation (Rule 3.3.17).
Tsimanouskaya’s participation in the women’s 200 metres was curtailed following her social-media criticism of Belarusian athletics coaching staff for entering her in the 4×400-metre relay without her knowledge. Following Tsimanouskaya’s public comments, which hit international headlines, team officials withdrew her from competition; and the athlete claimed that they forced her to leave the Olympic Village and tried to send her back to Belarus. However, she sought protection from the Japanese police at the airport and she has since settled in another country.
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.
“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.
This matter was referred to the AIU by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Athletics (WA) on 30 September 2021. Maisevich was one of two Belarusian officials whose Olympic accreditation was revoked by IOC regarding this situation. The other official, Artur Shumak, has not been charged.
About the Athletics Integrity Unit
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is the independent body created by World Athletics that manages all integrity issues – both doping and non-doping – for the sport of athletics. The remit of the AIU includes anti-doping, the pursuit of individuals engaged in age or competition results manipulation, investigating fraudulent behaviour with regards to transfers of allegiance, and detecting other misconduct including bribery and breaches of betting rules.
It is the AIU’s role to drive cheats out of our sport, and to do everything within its power to support honest athletes around the world who dedicate their lives to reaching their sporting goals through dedication and hard work.
