World Athletics Suspend Tokyo Olympics Qualifiers Until December

8th April 2020

The Games have already been pushed back from this summer to 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak

In this file photographtaken on August 29, 2019 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe speaks during an interview with AFP on the sidelines of the IAAF Diamond League competition in Zurich. World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe has March 23, 2020, called for the Tokyo Olympics to be postponed over the coronavirus pandemic as Canada pulled out of the Games and Japan's prime minister admitted a delay could be "inevitable". PHOTO | AFP
In this file photographtaken on August 29, 2019 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe speaks during an interview with AFP on the sidelines of the IAAF Diamond League competition in Zurich. World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe has March 23, 2020, called for the Tokyo Olympics to be postponed over the coronavirus pandemic as Canada pulled out of the Games and Japan's prime minister admitted a delay could be "inevitable". PHOTO | AFP
SUMMARY
  • World Athletics announced on Tuesday track and field qualification for next year's Tokyo Olympics has been suspended until December 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic
  • Competitors who have already reached the qualification standards will retain their places for the Games due to take place from July 23 to August 8 next year.

PARIS, France- World Athletics announced on Tuesday track and field qualification for next year's Tokyo Olympics has been suspended until December 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Games have already been pushed back from this summer to 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"This period gives more certainty for athlete planning and preparation and is the best way to address fairness in what is expected to be the uneven delivery of competition opportunities across the globe for athletes given the challenges of international travel and government border restrictions," World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said in a statement.

Competitors who have already reached the qualification standards will retain their places for the Games due to take place from July 23 to August 8 next year.

The deadline for the marathon and 50km walk will be May 31 in 2021 with June 29 the date for the remaining events.

World Athletics' global rankings have also been frozen.

The season is set to begin in June but any results before the restart date will not count.