Tokyo Olympics To Allow Athletes Banned Until 2020 To Qualify For 2021 Event

Tokyo Olympics To Allow Athletes Banned Until 2020 To Qualify For 2021 Event

By Sampson Adedeji

The organizers of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics have revealed that they will free up the qualification process for all athletes whose bans expire in 2020.

Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) head Brett Clothier explained this new development – saying – doping bans are based on time periods and not events, a major reason the individuals could take part.

Since an agreement between the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government was reached to postpone the Games to 2021 because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the athletes’ involvement has been a hot topic.

Talking up the situation, Clothier added that if there were any changes concerning the bans, it would lead to legal complications.

“The standard penalty under the WADA code for doping is a four-year ban,” Clothier said. “And that’s been designed that way to tie in with the Olympic cycle.

“But in this case, of course, it’s an anomaly that the Olympics have moved so some athletes will benefit from that.

“It’s an unfortunate situation but one that is very clear under the legal framework so the ban is based on time and not tied to particular events.”

Next year’s Tokyo Olympics will officially open on 23 July and last till 8 August 2021. Paralympics will then follow from 24 August to 5 September 2021.