After the spread of the new coronavirus infection toward the Tokyo Olympics, it has been decided that the final qualifying for the Artistic Swimming Olympics, which was scheduled for March as the first test tournament, will be postponed to May.
The final qualifying for the Olympic Games of Artistic Swimming will be held from March 4th for 4 days at the Tokyo Aquatics Center in Koto-ku, Tokyo, as a test tournament to confirm the method of running the actual Olympic Games and measures to prevent infection with the new coronavirus. Was being done.
However, according to FINA, which hosts the tournament, the spread of the new coronavirus infection continues worldwide, and the waiting period for athletes who entered Japan due to the state of emergency issued in Tokyo, etc. has been eased. The decision was made to postpone the tournament to four days from May 1st, as the measures to be taken have been suspended and the prospects for the cancellation of the declaration are uncertain.
The final qualifying round will compete for the remaining 7 duets and the remaining 3 teams, excluding the 7 teams that have been unofficially decided to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, such as Japan, the host country. By the 28th, the deadline for applying for the number of players. Approximately 100 athletes from more than 20 countries entered, and more than 220 people were scheduled to visit Japan, including the management staff.
At the test competition, infection prevention measures were examined in line with the guidelines of FINA, and management methods were discussed with a view to non-audience.
Organizing Committee "Change of holding time has no effect"
Regarding the postponement of the Olympic final qualifying for artistic swimming scheduled for the first test tournament of infection control to May, the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games said, "The time has changed, but the location is also a condition. Since it can be held without change, it will not affect the position of the test tournament. I would like to do what I can to hold a safe and secure tournament. "
With this, the first test tournament to take measures against infection for the Tokyo tournament will be a wheelchair rugby tournament to be held at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium for two days from April 3rd.
Tournament officials "Qualifying players two months before the tournament are difficult"
On the other hand, officials from the test tournament have raised concerns about the impact of the postponement to May on the adjustment of athletes for the Olympic Games.
One of the people in charge of running the tournament said, "Usually after the final qualifying, we will identify issues and correct the performance for the Olympic Games, but the qualifying two months before the Games will not be in time for the actual performance. It's hard for players and coaches at about the same time. "