Coronavirus cancellations impacting key Tokyo Olympic Games selection events

2016 Rio Olympic Games
The Olympic rings in Rio (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)

Despite suggestions from US President Donald Trump that the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo might have to be cancelled, the organisers lit the Olympic torch in Ancient Olympia, Greece on Thursday, beginning what would normally be a period of intense competition between athletes to earn selections to fill their national quotas for the Games.

The problem is, nearly every potential Olympic qualifying event around the world has been cancelled or is under threat of cancellation in order to help stop the coronavirus pandemic.

Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.