New qualifying regulations announced for badminton
The Badminton World Federation has updated the qualification regulations for Tokyo 2020
Badminton
Following the announcement last week of a revamped tournament calendar for 2020, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has outlined the updated qualifying regulations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Given the disruption to the qualification system, the priority has been to ensure a fair solution in order to allow players to qualify for the postponed Games, now set to take place next summer. Both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have approved the amendments.
“It has been a thorough process with the close and valuable consultation of the Athletes’ Commission to consider how best to make adjustments to the Olympic and Paralympic qualification system," BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund said.
“We feel this is a fair solution for all athletes and it will be our first and main priority to conduct these tournaments as part of badminton and Para badminton’s adjusted return in the wake of COVID-19.”
Olympic Games
All ranking points earned during the original Olympic qualification period will be maintained under the Race to Tokyo ranking list. However, an extended qualification period will be introduced to include the select number of tournaments that were postponed, cancelled or suspended due to COVID-19.
After being unable to participate in the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championships due to travel restrictions imposed, players from People's Republic of China and Hong Kong China will be eligible to earn points from the 2021 Badminton Asia Team Championships.
A revised BWF Tournament Calendar 2021 will be revealed at a later date.
Paralympic Games
Only one tournament within the original qualification period for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was cancelled – the Spanish Para Badminton International 2020 and has now been included in the adjusted qualification period.
Similar to the Olympic Games, all ranking points earned during the original qualification period will be maintained under the Race to Tokyo Paralympic Ranking list.
More information can be found at the Badminton World Federation.