The corona virus has a major impact on the sports world. Many competitions have been canceled or shut down, making it unclear for athletes with an Olympic dream whether and how they can still qualify for the Summer Games in Tokyo.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already indicated that it is not necessary to decide at the conference table which athletes go to the Olympic Games, but that the qualification must take place in a competitive environment. Maurits Hendriks, technical director of sports dome NOC * NSF, thinks that is a good aim.
“But the question is how feasible it is,” said Hendriks on Sunday Studio Sportbroadcast about the effects of the coronavirus on the sports world. “The deadlines for placement will become more flexible, but the question is whether this will really solve the problem.”
Clarity as soon as possible
Judoka Henk Grol thinks that it will be very difficult to peak at the right time. “As an athlete you can be very good several times a year,” says Grol, who competes for an Olympic ticket with Roy Meyer. “I am very fit at the moment. There is nothing wrong for me now, but not knowing when to be in top form is very difficult.”
Hendriks would like to provide clarity to athletes as soon as possible. “We strive for a decision in a competitive environment, but I also see it happen that we have to look at the current ranking or recent results for a number of sports. That is a realistic scenario.”
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