IPC provides update regarding Tokyo 2020 qualification slots

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced on Thursday (25 March) that 62 per cent of qualification slots for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games have been awarded so far.

To date 2,710 slots have been allocated to 96 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs). A further 1,690 slots are still to be awarded for the Games.

Six sports – boccia, equestrian, football 5-a-side, goalball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby – have already awarded all their slots. In sitting volleyball and swimming 94% of slots have been awarded with just bipartite slots to be awarded in the latter sport.

Eleven direct qualification events across several sports are due to take place between now and June 2021, while rankings across eight sports which determine qualification slots will close between 1 April and 15 July.

Jurgen Padberg, the IPC’s Paralympic Games Sport & NPC Services Senior Manager, said: “With just over 150 days to go until the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic, we are in a good position in terms of qualification for the Games despite the impact of COVID-19 on the sporting calendar.

“In the last months, a number of Para sport events have taken place providing qualification slots to Tokyo 2020 and more are planned in the coming months.

“We are under no illusions that the pandemic may impact upcoming events and are in close and regular contact with all International Federations regarding further changes that may need to be made to the qualification criteria if required.”

It is anticipated that several NPCs will make their debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games having qualified athletes for the first time courtesy of the NPC Development Programme powered by Toyota. These NPCs will be confirmed in due course.

The IPC will provide an update on classification regarding Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the coming days.