FIG releases revised Olympic qualification system for Tokyo Games
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has released its revised qualification system for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad–Tokyo 2020–for artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline gymnastics.
The new version, which has been approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), features minimal changes to the original qualification system, but with the postponement of the games by a year, the FIG and IOC has adjusted some of the basic criteria.
Per the FIG, the main modifications are below:
- The extension of the qualification period until 29 June 2021 as set by the IOC.
The extension of this period allows more latitude for the holding of the World Cups and Continental Championships which could not be run during the first half of 2020.
Although a majority of the 324 Olympic berths in gymnastics have already been allocated or are “pending,” there are still spots up for grabs and qualifying events that need to be held that were cancelled this past spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic–namely the All-Around World Cups and Continental Championships, as well as the final Individual Apparatus World Cup in Doha. In order to move forward with rescheduling those meets, the qualification period has been extended until June 29, 2021. The IOC must know all nations’ official entries by July 5.
In addition, there has been some speculation that the 2020 American Cup–the only All-Around World Cup to take place this year, prior to COVID-19–may not count toward Olympic qualification. The FIG’s updated document for artistic gymnastics currently lists the All-Around World Cup series as taking place from “March 2020 – June 29, 2021.” The FIG’s lack of further comment on the American Cup seems to confirm that those results will stand. That is also consistent with its previous decisions to count the results of all qualifying meets that have already taken place.
- The minimum age required to participate in the Olympic Games in 2021.
The age criteria remain compliant with article 5.2 of the FIG Technical Regulations specifying minimum age necessary in the year of the competition to compete in the Olympic Games.
Simply put, the FIG has confirmed athletes born in 2003 (men) and 2005 (women) are, indeed, now eligible to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
“We are delighted to have been able, along with the IOC, to swiftly update the qualification system in order to give athletes the assurance that the opportunities they were relying on to seek qualification remain unchanged, and so to bolster them in their preparation for the biggest event of their sporting careers,” FIG President Morinari Watanabe said.
The FIG is currently working with the continental gymnastics unions and the organizers of the various World Cup events to set new dates for the remaining qualifying competitions.
The first of those events to be rescheduled was announced on Thursday, with the 2020 European Championships, the continental championships for Europe, set to be held at the end of the year.
Although the 2021 European Championships will still be held in April 2021, just four months later, the 2020 championships will remain the qualifying event.
Revised Olympic qualification systems for Tokyo Olympics
- Olympic Qualification System Tokyo 2020 – Artistic (PDF)
- Olympic Qualification System Tokyo 2020 – Rhythmic (PDF)
- Olympic Qualification System Tokyo 2020 – Trampoline (PDF)
