Tokyo 2020 to retain diversity, best athletes if qualification changed due to COVID-19

World Archery has outlined two principles for the qualification procedures for Tokyo 2020 as it assesses the impact of event cancellations due to COVID-19. Any changes to the procedures for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games will:

• Protect the intention behind the published procedures and see the best athletes compete in Tokyo.
• Protect the diverse continental representation of archery’s competitors at the Games.

Following the cancellation of several continental qualification events, the qualification procedures for the archery competitions in Tokyo may need to be adjusted.

Decisions on any changes will be communicated prior to the rescheduling of any competitions.

World Archery’s leadership took part in a conference call to discuss the qualification situation with the International Olympic Committee, Tokyo 2020, other federations and stakeholders on Tuesday 17 March.

As a result, a communique was issued confirming a commitment to hosting the Olympics as planned.

The International Olympic Committee outlined that all quota places currently awarded will remain with those respective National Olympic Committees and that any future qualification event that can be run safely and is fairly accessible to all teams should take place.

Any adaptions to qualification procedures will be based on on-field results (including rankings) and reflect the existing principles.

World Archery’s executive committee suspended all international competition on Monday 16 March. The hiatus will last until at least the end of April.

The Pan American Championships, Oceania Championships and European Para Championships, which were all qualifying events for Tokyo 2020, have been affected.