Tokyo Olympics: Due to COVID-19, if one finalist forced out, there will be no match for bronze medal in hockey

If one finalist is forced out in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 because of COVID-19 as the afflicted side’s last-four stage opponent would be elevated to their summit clash. The Sport-Specific Regulations (SSR) has been developed jointly by International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Federations (IFs) to determine the impact of a confirmed positive COVID-19 case and its management in competition formats and structures.

The regulations developed for hockey read, “In Hockey, teams unable t compete due to COVID-19 will not be disqualified and will be marked as DNS (Did Not Start). If a team is unable to participate in the final, the team that was eliminated by the COVID-19 impacted team will be brought into the final to compete for the medal on the field of play. The other losing semi-finalist will be awarded the bronze medal.”

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The IOC developed SSR as a contingency measure that will put in motion in case a confirmed COVID-19 case is reported in any sport to ensure smooth conduct of events.

The Tokyo Olympics is starting from July 23 to August without crowds due to extraordinary circumstances owing to the raging COVID-19 pandemic. The Japanese government barred spectators to enter the venues to control the spread of the deadly virus.