Athletics-AIU to probe Belarus officials removed from Olympics in Tsimanouskaya case

FILE PHOTO: Belarusian Sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya who took refuge in the Polish embassy in Tokyo, looks on while boarding a flight to Vienna at Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan August 4, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

(Reuters) - The two Belarus team officials who cut short sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya's Tokyo Olympics will be investigated by the sport's Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after World Athletics said Thursday it had opened formal proceedings against the pair.

Tsimanouskaya was ordered to fly home after criticising coaches for entering her in the 4x400 metres relay without her knowledge and was taken to the airport in Tokyo before she could run in her chosen 200m event.