Tokyo Olympics: Testing positive for COVID in boxing final will land opponent gold medal

highly-anticipated Tokyo Olympics will take place with strict safety protocols in place along with some special rules of conduct owing to COVID pandemic. Tokyo Olympics' Sport-Specific Regulations (SSR) has me it clear as to how final of a sport will be held in case a participant tests positive for COVID-19. According to SSR, in case of a participant in finals of boxing event gets infected, opponent will be awarded Olympic gold medal.

Testing positive for Tokyo Olympics boxing final will land silver

specification put out by SSR stated that any participant testing positive for COVID in Olympics' boxing final will be awarded silver medal. regulations have been jointly formed by International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Federations (IFs). specifications have been set up to ensure smooth functioning of event amid pandemic.

As per regulations, "In Boxing, athlete that cannot compete will not be disqualified and will be marked as DNS in case y cannot start event and will be treated as Walk-Over once competition has started. If an athlete is no longer able to compete opponent will receive a bye and progress to next round. If an athlete cannot compete in final due to COVID-19 bout will not go ahe and athlete who can no longer compete will receive silver medal and opponent will be awarded gold medal to protect safety of athletes.”

Losing semi-finalist to replace COVID bound participant in wrestling finals

Meanwhile, an incident of a participant testing positive for COVID in wrestling finals will have a different outcome. If a participant tests positive, finalist will n be replaced with losing semi-finalist.  regulations for wrestling said, "In Wrestling if an athlete is not able to compete due to COVID-19, athlete will not be disqualified and will be marked as DNS. opponent receives a bye into next round. In case athlete has reached final and is no longer able to compete due to COVID-19 athlete eliminated in respective semi-final will fill vacant place and compete in final.”

regulations also clarified regarding prospective outcomes of a participant missing out on shooting event due to COVID-19. "In shooting, if an athlete/team is not able to compete due to COVID-19, y will not be disqualified and will be marked as DNS. re will be no change to competition format or groupings. events take place over one day with exception of shotgun events; however, all athletes compete on both days and refore results of daily COVID-19 test will determine if an athlete can start orwise event will go ahe with one athlete less.”

It furr ded, “For mixed team event, in case an athlete can no longer take part in event, but NOC has anor athlete on-site, NOC can replace an athlete team member." Tokyo Olympics will go on from July 23-August 8 and is set to happen under strict COVID safety protocols. mega qurennial event, which was slated to happen last year, was postponed due to ongoing pandemic.

IMAGE: AP/ UNSPLASH