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Tokyo has to do without various stars.
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Roger Federer does not participate due to knee problems.
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16/16
In the proverbial last minute, Kerri Walsh Jennings missed her sixth Olympic Games.
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The sport lives from its stars. They should also provide a spectacle at the Olympic Games. It’s a little different in Tokyo. Many big names are missing. The reasons for this couldn’t be more different.
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Two who have shaped tennis over the past 15 years have decided not to participate. Roger Federer (39) gave forfait for a short time because of his knee problems. Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, made this decision earlier. In June, the Spaniard announced that he had decided not to give his body a rest after the exhausting clay court season. The two are far from the only tennis stars missing. Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini or the former world number one Serena Williams and Simona Halep are not there either.
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Ban for missed doping tests
The fastest sprinter in the world is also not at the start. The American Christian Coleman (25), who sprinted over 100 m to gold in the 2019 World Cup, missed three doping tests this year. The consequence? He was banned.
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Tiger Woods has won almost everything there is to be won in golf. The Masters, the US Open, the PGA Championship. Only something is missing from his collection: Olympic gold. That won’t happen this year either. The 45-year-old has not yet returned after his serious car accident in February.
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Many stars have resigned
The last three Olympic Games have been coined by two names: Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps. Sprinter Bolt won triple gold three times (100, 200 and 4×100 m) and swimmer Phelps collected a total of 23 gold medals. The two ended their careers in 2017 and 2016 respectively.
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There are also some names missing from the Swiss delegation who won medals in Rio. Olympic time trial champion Fabian Cancellara is no longer active, as is the quartet Mario Gyr, Simon Niepmann, Simon Schürch and Lucas Tramèr, who won gold in the lightweight quadruple scull. Tennis players Timea Bacsinszky and Martina Hingis, who won silver in doubles in Brazil, also resigned.
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Olympic champion has gambled away
However, one who has not resigned yet and is still missing is Mo Farah. The four-time Olympic champion, who won gold over 5000 and 10’000 m respectively in 2012 and 2016, missed the qualification for Tokyo. The 38-year-old, who switched to the marathon in 2017, tried to find out about the 10,000 m again in vain.
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Kerri Walsh Jennings was ousted from a starting position at the last moment. The 42-year-old beach volleyball player has long since achieved legendary status. It won gold in 2004, 2008 and 2012, and bronze was added five years ago. She and her current partner Brooke Sweat were well on their way to qualifying for the sixth time for the Olympic Games. But in the last two tournaments the duo fell behind their compatriots in the American duel with the newcomers Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil. (sda / red)
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Summer Olympics in TokyoThe 32nd Summer Olympic Games will take place in the Japanese capital Tokyo from July 23 to August 8, 2021. All information about the opening, broadcast, competition dates, disciplines, innovations, venues and mascots can be found in the large overview.
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