Following a dispute that resulted in a stand-off at Tokyo's main airport, the Japanese government announced that a Belarus athlete is safe. She alleged that her Olympic team attempted to remove her from the nation.

Activists supporting sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya have stated that she fears her life is in danger in Belarus and that she will apply for asylum at the Austrian consulate in Tokyo.

Katsunobu Kato, a spokesperson for the Japanese government, told reporters that Japan is working with other organizations "to take appropriate measures," and that Ms. Tsimanouskaya is secure.

Japan is cooperating with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo Games organizers, according to the foreign ministry.

Ms. Tsimanouskaya said she was forced by Belarus team officials and sought the IOC for help in a video message shared on social media.

“I was put under duress, and they are attempting to deport me without my consent,” the 24-year-old athlete explained.

Ms. Tsimanouskaya, who will compete in the Olympic 200-meter heats, took to Instagram to criticize Belarus team officials. She claimed she was placed in the 4x400 relay despite having never competed in the event.

According to the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), government supporters targeted the athlete, and Ms. Tsimanouskaya sought assistance from the organization to avoid being deported to Minsk.

“The campaign was quite serious, and that was a clear signal that her life would be in danger in Belarus,” BSSF spokesman Alexander Opeikin told the Associated Press.

Ms. Tsimanouskaya was detained by Japanese authorities at Haneda Airport and refused to board an aircraft to Istanbul. Officials from the foreign ministry came at the airport later, according to Mr. Opeikin.

Ms. Tsimanouskaya was in a police station early Monday morning, according to a statement made by the BSSF.

“I told a police officer what happened and how I was taken from the Olympic Village,” she claimed.

“Now that I'm in a safe place, I'm trying to figure out where I'll spend the night.”

The IOC announced it has interfered in a dispute with the Belarus National Olympic Committee (NOC) ahead of the Tokyo Games.

“The IOC is investigating the situation and has requested clarification from the NOC,” it stated in a statement.

Poland, a Belarusian neighbor where many critics of the Minsk regime have settled, has offered Ms. Tsimanouskaya assistance.

Ms. Tsimanouskaya has been offered a "humanitarian visa" and is free to pursue her sporting career in Poland, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz.

The Belarus NOC has been run by autocratic state president Alexander Lukashenko and his son Viktor for more than 25 years.

The IOC has barred both Lukashenkos from competing in the Tokyo Olympics after an investigation into athlete reports of retaliation and intimidation following protests over the country's disputed presidential election last August.

A Belarus Olympic team spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.

Mr. Opeikin said Ms. Tsimanouskaya was brought to a safe location and will seek asylum from the Austrian consulate.

Ms. Tsimanouskaya competed in the opening day of track events for Belarus on Friday at Tokyo's National Stadium.

In the 100 meters, she finished fourth in her first-round heat in 11.47 seconds and did not advance.