Mexico to make Olympic canoe slalom debut as ICF confirms Tokyo 2020 allocations Saturday, 1 May 2021
The International Canoe Federation (ICF) has confirmed Mexico will make its first-ever Olympic appearance in canoe slalom at this year s Tokyo 2020 Games.
Mexico has secured its place after the ICF allocated quota spots for the Games following the cancellation of qualification events because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Athletes from Argentina, Canada, the United States and Cook Islands are set to join Mexico at Tokyo 2020 after being awarded Olympic canoe slalom quotas.
It has also been confirmed that Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Cuba, Austria, China, Japan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Samoa and Sweden have clinched Olympic spots in canoe sprint.
Saturday, 6 March 2021
The canoe sprint Pan-American Olympic qualifiers in Curitiba in Brazil have been cancelled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.
The decision from the International Canoe Federation (ICF) was based on the advice of the Pan American Canoe Federation (COPAC) that the event should be cancelled.
The ICF is now in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over how to allocate the 14 quota spots for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Local authorities in Curitiba enforced tougher restrictions due to an upturn in COVID-19 cases, meaning COPAC would not be able to hold the event fairly and safely.
COPAC had considered postponement of the event, but local health authorities were unable to guarantee the safety of athletes.