Eight male and seven female teams have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics so far.
Last week, the male squad of Hungary and the female team of Russia earned the Olympic berths at the European Championships.
The list of the participants will be completed after the World qualification tournaments, which will be held in Rotterdam (men) and Trieste (women) in March.
The Asian Championships should be held before the tournaments in Rotterdam and Trieste. The winner of the Asian Championships will obtain an Olympic quota place, while the 2nd-placed and 3rd-placed team will qualify for the World Qualification tournaments. This rule applies both for men’s and for the women’s competition at the Asian Championships.
But, at the moment, it is unknown where and when will the Asian Championships be held!
Kazakhstan was selected as a host country. It was planned that the tournament would be held in the capital of Kazakhstan Nur-Sultan (previously named Astana) in the middle of February (12th – 16th).
But, yesterday, Kazakhstan refused to organize the continental championships. The Government of Kazakhstan suspended all passengers traveling to and from neighboring county China. It also suspended the issue of visas to Chinese citizens because of an outbreak of a new coronavirus spread.
After this government’s decision, the Aquatics Federation of Kazakhstan had to give up the organization of the tournament.
The Asian Swimming Federation and FINA have to find a new solution quickly. The Asian Championships have to be finished before the World Qualifications.
Teams qualified for the Olympic Games and qualification procedure
MEN (12 teams will participate at the Olympic Games)
Qualified teams
Serbia– World League winner
Italy – World champion
Spain – silver medal at the World Championships
USA – gold medal at the Pan American Games
Australia – Oceanian Continental Selection
Hungary – European champion
South Africa – the representative of Africa
Japan – host
Available berths
Champion of Asia
Top three teams from the qualification tournament in Rotterdam (March 22nd – 29th)
Qualification tournament in Rotterdam
A maximum of 12 teams will participate in the qualifications in Rotterdam:
Their spots at the tournament secured these squads: Montenegro, Croatia, Greece, Russia (following to the rankings at the European championships), the Netherlands (host), Brazil, Canada, Argentina (according to the rankings at the Pan American Games), two teams from Asia, one team from Africa and one team from Oceania.
So far, five European teams, Brazil and Canada have confirmed the participation
If there is an unfilled vacancy from a continent, then that vacancy shall be filled by the next highest placed team(s) from the continental qualification tournament or continental championship with the following rotation: host continent of the Olympic Games Qualification Tournament (Europe), Americas, Asia, Oceania and Africa.
The European teams which might be invited, if some of the non-Europeans withdraw from the competition: Germany, Georgia, Romania, Turkey.
WOMEN (10 teams will participate at the Olympic Games)
Qualified teams
USA – World League winner
Spain – silver medalist at the World Championships
Russia – silver medalist at the European Championships
Canada – silver medalist at the Pan American Games
Australia – Oceanian Continental Selection
South Africa – African Continental Selection
Japan – host
Available berths
Champion of Asia
Top two teams from the qualification tournament in Trieste (March 8th – 15th)
Qualification tournament in Trieste
A maximum of 12 teams will compete at the tournament.
Their spots at the tournament secured: Italy (host), Hungary, Netherlands, Greece, France (according to the rankings at the European Championships), Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico (following to the rankings at the Pan American Games), two teams from Asia, a team from Africa and a team from Oceania.
Brazil and five European teams have confirmed participation at the tournament, so far.
If there is an unfilled vacancy from a continent, then that vacancy shall be filled by the next highest placed team(s) from the continental qualification tournament or continental championship with the following rotation: host continent of the Olympic Games Qualification Tournament (Europe), Tournament, Americas, Asia, Oceania and Africa.
The European teams which might be invited, if some of the non-Europeans withdraw from the competition: Slovakia, Israel, Croatia, Germany, Serbia
