Gymnastics Australia welcomes new dates for the Tokyo Olympics

Gymnastics Australia (GA) welcomes the announcement made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have been confirmed for July 2021.

Set to begin exactly a year later than originally schedule, the IOC have announced the Games will run July 23 to August 8. The news comes as great relief during an uncertain time for many athletes with not only confirmation of new dates, but also that all qualification and quota places previously earned will be retained.

Feeling the impact of the events of the last few weeks having earned a quota place in October, Men’s Artistic Gymnast Tyson Bull said it was great to have a new goal for 2021.

“Putting a concrete date on the games gives every athlete a target and a sense of purpose,” Bull said.

“I felt a little lost for direction and purpose immediately after the postponement. Now having a new date in place so quickly allows everyone to start putting new plans in place to peak and be at our best in July next year.”

With athlete health and wellbeing at the forefront of the decision, fellow Womens Artistic Gymnast Georgia Godwin said she was grateful that the IOC and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee had made such incredible progress so quickly.

“It’s great news that the IOC have officially set dates for the Tokyo Olympics next year.” Godwin said.

“This now gives athletes a timeframe to help guide our preparation and a goal to work towards. I’m so excited to get to Tokyo and be part of the team.”

A revised qualification process for remaining quota places is expected to be announced by the IOC and the individual sporting federations in the coming months.

GA now looks forward to working closely with the Australian Olympic Committee and FIG to ensure that our athletes will be prepared and at their best come 23 July 2021.