Olympic boxing qualifiers in London suspended due to coronavirus

Tournament has been suspended after three days of competition to allow athletes to return home ‘amid increasing global travel restrictions and quarantine measures’

The European boxing qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics have been suspended after three days of competition due to the escalating coronavirus outbreak.

The qualifiers, which began in London on 14 March and features athletes from over 60 countries, will now resume in May to allow participants to return safely home “amid increasing global travel restrictions and quarantine measures”.

A statement released by the International Olympic Committee’s Boxing Task Force (BTF) read: “Safeguarding the well-being of the athletes, officials and all other participants is a top priority for the BTF.

“Since the preparation phase of the event, the BTF has been working in close cooperation with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) – the delivery body of the competition – as well as its stakeholders, its own medical experts and the national health authorities, to set up the necessary precautionary measures.

“The BTF eventually took the decision to suspend the event today, amid increasing global travel restrictions and quarantine measures, in order to allow the participants from over 60 countries to adjust their travel plans and return home.

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“The BTF will continue to evaluate the situation daily, aiming to complete the distribution of the remaining Tokyo 2020 boxing quota places in May and June. The BTF’s priority remains the qualification of athletes on the field of play, and it will inform all stakeholders as soon as more information is available.”

Officials had already taken the decision to stage Monday's action behind closed doors, with the suspension now throwing preparations for Tokyo 2020 into further chaos.