Coronavirus: World Athletics suspends Olympics qualification until December

The World Athletics has suspended the Tokyo Olympics qualification period until December 2020 due to the fast-spreading Covid-19 or coronavirus pandemic after consulting its athletes' commission, area presidents and council.

The news comes after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) deferred the Tokyo Summer Games to from July 23 to August 8, 2021 .
 
"Qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is suspended effective from 6 April 2020 until 30 November 2020 included," World Athletics said in a statement.
 
What does the suspension of qualification period mean?
 
During the period, results achieved at any competition will not be considered for Tokyo 2020 entry standards or world rankings, the publication of which will also be suspended.
 
So, what will happen to the statistics of the event?
 
Results will continue to be recorded for statistical purposes, including for world records, subject to the applicable conditions but they will not be used to establish an athlete's qualification status.
 
Subject to the global situation returning to normal, the qualification period will resume on 1 December 2020 and continue to the new qualification deadline in 2021 set by the International Olympic Committee.
 
The total qualification period, which started in 2019, will be four months longer than it was originally.

 
Here’s what World Athletics President said
 
Commenting on the decision, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: "I am grateful for the detailed work and feedback from our Athletes' Commission and Council who believe suspending Olympic qualification during this period gives more certainty for athlete planning and preparation and is the best way to address fairness in what is expected to be the uneven delivery of competition opportunities across the globe for athletes given the challenges of international travel and government border restrictions.

What will happen to athletes if they are already qualified for Olympics?
 
Athletes who have already met the entry standard since the start of the qualification period in 2019 remain qualified and will be eligible for selection by their respective Member Federations and National Olympic Committees, together with the other athletes who will qualify within the extended qualification period.
 
The end of the Olympic qualification periods are May 31, 2021 (for 50km race walk and marathon) and June 29, 2021 for all other events.
 
Qualification starting dates for entry standards and world rankings remain unchanged with many athletes already qualified by meeting the entry standards during 2019.
 
"With the qualification period from December 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 (or 29 June 2021 depending on the event) the eligible qualification period (taking into account the eight-month suspension period) is longer than the original period by an additional four months," the statement added.
 
Qualification period Table

Events	Entry standards period	World rankings period
Marathon, 50 km race walk	1 December 2020 – 31 May 2021 1 December 2020 – 31 May 2021	1 December 2018 – 5 April 2020 1 December 2020 – 31 May 2021
10,000m, 20km race walk, combined events	1 January 2019 – 5 April 2020 1 December 2020 – 29 June 2021	1 January 2019 – 5 April 2020 1 December 2020 – 29 June 2021
All other events	1 May 2019 – 5 April 2020 1 December 2020 – 29 June 2021	30 June 2019 – 5 April 2020 1 December 2020 – 29 June 2021