With the Tokyo Olympics official confirmed, it seems the doors has just been opened for more big sporting organization to follow suit.
The World Athletics has came out today after the official announcement of Tokyo Olympics postponement to confirm that the World Athletics Championship slated for Oregon next year will be postponed possible to 2022. Likewise the International Swimming Federation (FINA) is also singing the same tune by also confirming their own Championship will also be shifted to accommodate the Olympics postponement.
World Athletics is due to hold its next World Championships in Oregon in the United States from August 6 to 15 while the FINA will hold it’s next World Championships in Fukuoka. Japan from July 16 to August 1 2021.
With Tokyo 2020 now postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the duo World Championships may clash with the rescheduled Games.
Subsequently, World Athletics has revealed it may move its flagship to 2022.
“World Athletics stands ready to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and all sport on an alternative date for the Olympic Games in 2021 and has already been in discussion with the World Athletics Championships Oregon 2021 Organising Committee regarding the possibility of moving the dates of this highly popular worldwide event,” a World Athletics statement said.
“They have assured us that they will work with all of their partners and stakeholders to ensure that Oregon is able to host the World Athletics Championships on alternative dates, including dates in 2022.”
The governing body also reiterated its support for athletes and announced it is reviewing its Olympic qualification system.
“Athletics will continue to do whatever it can to preserve and create an outdoor season of one-day meetings in 2020, starting and ending later than usual, so athletes, when they are able and it is safe to, will have access to competitions in every region,” World Athletics said.
“This will help them benchmark their performances and adjust their training accordingly for an Olympic Games in 2021. In light of this announcement, we will also expedite our current review of the Olympic qualification system, in cooperation with the IOC, and release any changes to the process as soon as possible so athletes know where they stand.”
“FINA will now work closely with the host Organising Committee of the 2021 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, with the Japan Swimming Federation and with the Japanese public authorities, in order to determine flexibility around the dates of the competition, if necessary and in agreement with the IOC,” it said.
“FINA’s main goal is to ensure the success of its showcase event, while considering the importance of athlete wellbeing and maximising opportunities for aquatics stars to compete at the highest level”, statement from FINA stated.
