Four months remain before the start of the rescheduled Olympics in Tokyo but the cancellation of qualifying events in various disciplines due to COVID-19 restrictions is once again disrupting the run-up to the Games. With a deadline of June 29 set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to wrap up qualification, 25 per cent of athlete quota places are yet to be filled, with another 14 per cent to be decided based on rankings. The IOC— which suspended the International Boxing Association in 2019 —now has the job of allocating over 50 spots across several regions based on results since 2017. Triathletes are also anxiously waiting for qualification events to restart in May, with the World Triathlon Executive Board set to take a final decision on March 18. However, many athletes who are still to punch their ticket to Tokyo will be waiting with bated breath until international federations make things clear.

Source: The Star March 11, 2021 14:15 UTC