The International Olympic Committee Boxing Taskforce has announced the suspension of the World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The Paris tournament, which was supposed to take place in May, is a Universality OQT — the last boat to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games for hopefuls that include Filipino featherweight Nesthy Petecio.
“Safeguarding the well-being of the athletes, officials and all other participants is a top priority for the BTF,” an IOC statement read. “Since the preparation phase of the event, the BTF has been working in close cooperation with the Local Organising Committee – the delivery body of the competition – as well as its stakeholders, its own medical experts, and the national health authorities, to set up the necessary precautionary measures.
“The BTF eventually took the decision to suspend the event, 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,” it continued.
“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. The BTF’s priority remains the qualification of athletes on the field of play, and it will inform all stakeholders as soon as more information is available.”
World champion Petecio was just one win away from booking an outright Olympic slot during the 2020 Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament.
However, the 27-year-old native of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur was stunned by 19-year-old Japanese Sena Irie that dropped her to the UOQT.
Filipino boxers who have qualified for the Olympics are Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno.
