The Coronavirus and all the deferred events affect not only active athletes but also those who are doping-suspended and soon become free to compete.
This means that the 2021 Olympics may contain athletes who would have missed the games by 2020 but who can now participate.
- Of course, there are athletes who will join the Olympics now. Their punishment is timed and remains as it is. You can have your views on that, but that's the regulatory framework, ”says Åke Andrén-Sandberg, chairman of the National Sports Federation's doping commission, to SVT Sport.
- But it's clear that there are certainly some now who think: "Oh, what a good thing it was postponed".
The only reason why the doping-suspended sports - whose suspension expires in 2020 - would not be able to participate in the 2021 Olympics is if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) makes its own decision.
- They (IOK) can establish their own rules to exclude people for various reasons, so to speak. They have the full opportunity to do so. The IOC cannot turn off fewer athletes but they can turn off more.
Is this likely to happen?
- No, it will be too difficult for rule interpretations to be done, so it is better to go for the rule interpretation that exists now, says Åke Andrén-Sandberg.
Nor does Swedish Anti-Doping Advisor, Tommy Forsgren, believe there will be any deferred closures due to the process.
- I imagine it will be a difficult legal trial to defer a suspension, says Swedish Anti-Doping Senior Counsel, Tommy Forsgren about the situation.
But if IOC were to go that way, Forsgren believes it will affect the rest of the sports world.
- A decision from the IOC would be guiding, even if they do not decide on, for example, the World Cup in swimming, it will be a guiding decision. It's one of the few bodies that can have that effect on sports, says Forsgren.