From September 1 qualifying standards possible in marathon and walks
MONACO (MON): Qualifying for the marathon and race walks for Tokyo 2021 will recommence on 1 September – three months earlier than planned, World Athletics has announced. A suspension had been introduced for all disciplines from 6 April to 30 November to allow fairness for all athletes worldwide affected in different ways by the coronavirus. Today’s change allows for qualification marks set before December in “pre-identified, advertised and authorized races being staged on World Athletics certified courses, with in-competition drug testing on-site”. The Virgin Money London Marathon, the staging of which in October is under review until early next month, is committed to trying to host at least an elite event, said the world body. The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, set for December, is looking to provide another opportunity. World Athletics expects at least two major race walking events to be staged between 1 September and November. The world rankings points will remain suspended until December.