Olympia 2021: Sanctions against Belarus? IOC examines and "takes time"

The fate of athletic Kristina Timanowskaya is now discussed on a world political stage. In the Olympic bubble, the IOC must have asked questions about handling Belarus.

Kristina Timanowskaya has left the Olympic stage, but her case looks after. The Belarusian NOK threatens to consequences according to the abduction allegations, the international Olympic committee awaits education - and is under pressure. Independent athlete organizations demand fast sanctions, and even US Secretary of Foreign Minister Antony Blinking sees an attack on the Olympic Spirit. But the IOC asks for patience.

A "formal investigation" is intended to get the allegations against the delegation from Belarus "for the bottom," Ioc spokesman Mark Adams said immediately on the brake. "These things need time," all those involved would have to be heard. Athlete representations such as Global Athlete or Athletes Germany and their public urge after a quick exclusion of the secondary NOK he left in the emptiness.

Dagmar Friday, Chair of the Sports Committee in the Bundestag, therefore fears a tough matter that will no longer be playing in at Tokyo before the eyes of the world public. "It does not look like, as if the topic should be clarified during the Olympic Games," said Friday the side: "I do not have much hope for an explanation of the case, since I do not assume that from the NOK from Belarus substantial answers to expect questions from the IOC. "

Timanowskaya comes in Poland

You yourself would have one or the other question - not least to the IOC. For example, "as it was possible that an athlete could obviously be brought against their will from the Olympic village - a place where the athletes should stand under the protection of the IOC," said the SPD politician. On this question, the organizers of the Olympic Games has actually been guilty of a reply.

Meanwhile, Timanowskaya is preparing for her successful escape to her new life in a new home. How many opponents of the authoritarian regime of President Alexander Lukashenko occurs in Poland. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on Facebook that his country wants to support the sprinter in the continuation of her sports career. He sentenced the "criminal attempt" of a kidnapping.

US Foreign Minister Linked Twitter used for his statement. "Such actions," he wrote, "violate the Olympic Spirit, violate the fundamental rights and should therefore not be tolerated". Whether he wanted to call the IOC for action, remained open. That was for a long time convinced that the sanctions imposed last year are sufficient to protect the athletes in Belarus.

The regime in Minsk was after the EU-recognized elections in the past summer with police violence against demonstrators, many athletes - including Timanovskaya - had solidized in an open letter, which remained for some not followed. The IOC step in and explained Lukashenko, until then NOK chairman, to the "Persona Non Grata", his son Wiktor, the Lukashenko had explained to the successor, the IOC refuses recognition. There are no money from Lausanne.

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Has changed in the Belarussian sport, which is so closely linked to the government of the "last dictator of Europe", but nothing. Before leaving the delegation to Tokyo, Lukashenko had clarified that he expects results. "Before you come back with nothing, you can not get back better," he said.