European Boxing Qualifiers in London for Tokyo Olympics 2020 Suspended Midway Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
The European qualifier, which started on March 14 and was planned to run until March 24, was suspended on Monday evening. The competition involved more than 300 athletes from 45 European countries and 77 Olympic berths to distribute.
London, March 17: The Boxing Road to Tokyo European qualifier in London has been suspended by the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed more than 6,000 lives across the world.
The European qualifier, which started on March 14 and was planned to run until March 24, was suspended on Monday evening. The competition involved more than 300 athletes from 45 European countries and 77 Olympic berths to distribute. Tokyo Olympics 2020 Torch Lighting Ceremony to be Held in Absence of Spectators Amid Coronavirus Threat.
The world qualifier, scheduled for Paris, has also been suspended. The qualifier for the Americas was suspended last week. In a statement, the BTF said: "Safeguarding the well-being of the athletes, officials and all other participants is a top priority for the BTF."
"The BTF eventually took the decision to suspend the event today, amid increasing global travel restrictions and quarantine measures, in order to allow the participants from over 60 countries to adjust their travel plans and return home." Summer Olympics 2020: Tokyo Begins Countdown, Flag Off Six-Months-To-Go Mark With Fireworks (Watch Video).
"The BTF will continue to evaluate the situation daily, aiming to complete the distribution of the remaining Tokyo 2020 boxing quota places in May and June," it added.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 17, 2020 11:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).