The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) is pleased to announce that the Tokyo 2020 Games will procure 100{f611f693713f4a1bfda8cd25b372c35825df95e4c1b9553b221a9b1bb44db509} of the energy required for the operation of the Games from renewable sources, including electricity generated in Fukushima Prefecture, with the support of Tokyo 2020 Gold Partner ENEOS. As the major energy supplier for Tokyo 2020, ENEOS has committed to supplying electricity generated only from renewable sources to competition venues and games related facilities during Games operations.
The electricity supplied by ENEOS will be generated by means of wood biomass power using construction waste and tree clippings from within Japan and by means of solar power generation facilities in Fukushima Prefecture.
Fukushima Prefecture has focused on renewable energy supply as a key element of its reconstruction and recover strategy following the Great East Japan Earthquake, and Tokyo 2020 will support these efforts by making use of renewable electricity procured from the affected areas. As a part of this initiative, it is expected that during the Games all facilities in Ariake Urban Sports Park, which will host BMZ racing and skateboarding events, will be powered completely by renewable energy produced in Fukusima Prefecture.
Organisers have announced the schedule for the Tokyo 2020 wheelchair rugby competition following the completion of the draw for the event. With games taking place at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo, from August 25-29th.
Pool games are due to take place over three days, with four matches scheduled per day. The top four teams are set to feature in the semi-finals on August 28th, the same day as the classification matches which determine places five to eight.
The tournament is due to conclude on August 29th with the bronze and gold medal matches scheduled for 2pm and 6pm JST respectively. A full rundown of the comptition schedule can be found below:
Wed 25 Aug. 11:30 – 15:45 – Yoyogi National Stadium
Pool Phase Group B, United States vs New Zealand
Pool Phase Group A, Australia vs Denmark
Wed 25 Aug. 17:30 – 21:45V – Yoyogi National Stadium
Pool Phase Group B, Great Britain vs Canada
Pool Phase Group A, Japan vs France
Thu 26 Aug. 11:30 – 15:45 – Yoyogi National Stadium
Pool Phase Group B, Canada vs United States
Pool Phase Group A, Japan vs Denmark
Thu 26 Aug. 17:30 – 21:45 – Yoyogi National Stadium
Mixed – Pool Phase Group A, France vs Australia
Mixed – Pool Phase Group B, Great Britain vs New Zealand
Fri 27 Aug. 11:30 – 15:45 – Yoyogi National Stadium
Pool Phase Group A, Denmark vs France
Pool Phase Group A, Australia vs Japan
Fri 27 Aug. 17:30 – 21:45 – Yoyogi National Stadium
Mixed – Pool Phase Group B, United States vs Great Britain
Mixed – Pool Phase Group B, New Zealand vs Canada
Sat 28 Aug. 11:30 – 16:00 – Yoyogi National Stadium
7th-8th classification
Semifinal
Sat 28 Aug. 17:30 – 21:45 – Yoyogi National Stadium
Semifinal
5th-6th classification
Sun 29 Aug. 14:00 – 16:00 – Yoyogi National Stadium
Mixed – Bronze Medal
Sun 29 Aug. 18:00 – 20:45 – Yoyogi National Stadium
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Worldwide Paralympic Partner Samsung are launching today (4 May) an online competition to select four vloggers to share unique stories of breaking barriers at Tokyo 2020.
The competition is open to all athletes heading to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, as well as National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Team Officials.
Between now and 24 May, entrants are invited to create and post a video entry up to 60-seconds long (and a maximum of 50mb) through https://www.paralympic.org/tokyo-2020/samsung-vloggers or their own social media channels, by tagging Paralympics and using the hashtag #Tokyo2020. Submissions can either be in English or their native language, and must show something unique and engaging about their life and provide an idea of how they would create vlog content during Games-time.
Vloggers are encouraged to embody Samsung’s key campaign message of Together For One World as they prepare to show the world the astonishing feats and performances that the Paralympic Games delivers.
A panel of experts from Samsung and the IPC will then analyse entries to determine the four successful vloggers who will be selected to be part of the campaign.
In total, the Tokyo 2020 Samsung Paralympic Vloggers team will involve 18 members. As well as the four vloggers selected from the competition, 11 athletes chosen by Samsung and the IPC, and three pre-selected Paralympic Games supporters will produce content for their own channels.
Originally started at London 2012, Samsung Paralympic Vloggers has captured the Games experiences of several world-leading athlete over the last four editions of the Paralympics. This has included US wheelchair racer Tatyana McFadden, Brazilian swimming legend Daniel Dias and 2016 Refugee Team athlete Ibrahim al Hussein.
Craig Spence, the IPC’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer, said: “Tokyo 2020 will mark the fifth edition of the Samsung Paralympic Vloggers project where athletes provide exclusive behind the scenes video blogs from the Paralympic Games.
“This unique initiative provides a fantastic insight into the daily lives and experiences of Paralympians attending one of the world’s biggest sport events. We are greatly excited to see how creative athletes will be in producing content for this competition and during the Games themselves. The content for Tokyo 2020 in particular will be unique as athletes adapt to taking part in a first Paralympic Games during a pandemic.”
The Tokyo 2020 Samsung Paralympic Vloggers is an extension of a project which began at London 2012 and continued through Sochi 2014, Rio 2016 and PyeongChang 2018.
The 2018 instalment of the Samsung Paralympic Vloggers initiative was the biggest yet, with almost five million views across social media, as well as coverage from broadcasters and within stadiums. And the series is only set to get bigger in Tokyo.
All content created in Tokyo will be uploaded to the IPC’s YouTube Channel, the IPC website and the respective vloggers’ social media accounts throughout the Paralympic Games, between 24 August and 5 September 2021.
Greg Polychronidis, who was a part of the first Samsung Paralympic Vloggers campaign at London 2012, recalls: “It (was) great, because I had the opportunity to share the magical world of the Paralympic Games with all of our followers. Magnificent scenes from the venues as well as incomparable moments from the Paralympic Village could be shared around the world because of the Samsung Paralympic Vloggers campaign, and I am really proud because I’ve been a part of it!”
To submit your entries, please visit: https://woobox.com/d2hrtc or enter on social media by tagging in Paralympics and using the hashtag #Tokyo2020. The deadline for athletes to submit their entries is 24 May.
Paralympian #164 Cameron Leslie and Para athletes Hayden Barton-Cootes, Cody Everson, Robert Hewitt, Tainafi Lefono, Gareth Lynch, Gavin Rolton and Mike Todd have been selected by Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) to the New Zealand Paralympic Team heading to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games which begin on 24 August. The announcement was made in Cambridge today at the conclusion of the team’s recent training camp and marks the second group of Para athletes to be announced to the New Zealand Paralympic Team.
Paralympian #164 Cameron Leslie was a Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder at Beijing 2008, London 2012 and again at Rio 2016 in Para swimming. He is also one of the most successful high pointer players throughout the world in Wheelchair rugby. Leslie will be competing at his fourth straight Paralympic Games in Tokyo and will be looking to continue his outstanding performances this time in both Para swimming and Wheelchair rugby. He will be the first NZ Paralympian since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games to have competed at a Paralympic Games in more than one Para sport. At the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games Paralympian #58 Janette Cordery competed in both Para athletics and Para swimming winning a bronze medal. Leslie has a quadruple limb deficiency.
Para athlete Hayden Barton-Cootes has been involved with the Wheel Blacks since 2015, where he made his debut against Australia. Barton-Cootes has had the opportunity to play in the Australian and Japanese domestic competitions gaining valuable experience. He also plays Wheelchair basketball for the Auckland team and sees this as an opportunity to complement his Wheelchair rugby. Barton-Cootes has a spinal cord injury.
Para athlete Cody Everson is currently the Captain of the Wheel Blacks and is a highly competitive person. After a rugby injury at the age of 15 he met Paralympian #111 Sholto Taylor while at the Burwood Spinal Unit, a long-time member of the Wheel Blacks. Taylor encouraged Everson to watch the Wheel Blacks in action, giving the boy who wanted to be an All Black a new dream to work towards. Everson has a spinal cord injury.
Para athlete Robert Hewitt has played rugby all of his life however following an accident in 2009 his focussed moved to Wheelchair rugby. He has been involved with the Wheel Blacks since 2010 and made his international debut in 2012 in South Africa. Hewitt loves being involved in Wheelchair rugby as it is a team sport with like-minded individuals all striving to achieve the same goal. Hewitt has a spinal cord injury.
Para athlete Tainafi Lefono is a long-time Wheel Black team member since a rugby injury in 2007. Outside of his sporting commitments he is a Physiotherapist currently working in the community as a neuro physiotherapist. Throughout Lefono’s time with the Wheel Blacks he has had the opportunity to travel to many countries to compete and last year became a dad for the first time. Lefono has a spinal cord injury.
Para athlete Gareth Lynch had an accident six years ago while diving into a swimming pool that resulted in a spinal cord injury. He has always played sport and has loved competing in a team environment again with the Wheel Blacks. In a short period of time Lynch has developed outstanding skills through his drive and commitment. Lynch has a spinal cord injury.
Para athlete Gavin Rolton started playing Wheelchair rugby in 2007 following a diving accident in 2005. He was selected to the Wheel Blacks for the first time in 2009 he has been a member of the team since. Rolton has captained the team from 2013-2021 and continues to be one of the top players in the world for his point class (0.5). Rolton has a spinal cord injury.
Para athlete Mike Todd was born with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease which is a neurological condition that effects all limbs. He was introduced to Wheelchair rugby in 2008, representing Canterbury ever since and he made his Wheel Blacks debut against Australia in 2015. Todd has also been heavily involved with the administration of Canterbury Wheelchair Rugby. Todd has CMT causing muscle degeneration.
Para athlete Hayden Barton-Cootes said, “It is going to be an incredible experience in Tokyo with many of us making our Paralympic debut together as part of the Wheel Blacks. We have an amazing whanau culture, and we will be drawing on that as we take on the best Wheelchair rugby teams in the world. We are looking forward to making our friends and whanau back in New Zealand proud of us while representing the silver fern.”
Paralympian #164 Cameron Leslie said, “It is a huge honour to be selected to represent New Zealand in both Para swimming and Wheelchair rugby. It is something I have aimed for over several campaigns but never been fortunate enough to realise this goal. It’ll be awesome to see the Kiwi public celebrate Wheelchair rugby at the Paralympic Games once again; we know Kiwis love their rugby.”
Paula Tesoriero (Chef de Mission, NZ Paralympic Team) said, “We are thrilled to welcome the Wheel Blacks to the NZ Paralympic Team and see the return of a team Para sport for New Zealand at the Paralympic Games. Their enthusiasm and passion will really add to our team environment in Tokyo.”
Fiona Allan (Chief Executive, PNZ) said, “It is fantastic to announce our second group of Para athletes selected to represent New Zealand at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games today. The 8 Para athletes who make up our Wheelchair rugby team – the Wheel Blacks – have satisfied PNZ Selectors that they have met the selection criteria for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics through previous performances and their ongoing commitment to training here in New Zealand.”
She continues, “The Wheel Blacks that will include 7 Paralympians making their Paralympic debut in Tokyo will be looking to continue the legacy of committed and competitive New Zealand’s Wheelchair rugby teams, and through their performances both on and off the court drive social change.”
On Thursday evening the 8 team pool draw took place for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with the Wheel Blacks representing New Zealand in pool B alongside United States, runners-up at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, Britain and Canada.
Nick Heyworth (President, NZ Wheelchair Rugby) said, “After a wait of over 13 years since NZ Wheelchair Rugby last attended the Paralympic Games, I speak on behalf of all the players, officials and volunteers of our sport by wishing the athletes and support staff all the very best for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.”
The New Zealand Paralympic Team has featured the Wheel Blacks at three Paralympic Games in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. With the team winning three medals including a gold medal at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.
The addition of the Wheelchair rugby team takes the New Zealand Paralympic Team to 13 selected Para athletes to date, with selections pending for up to up to another 6 Para sports over the coming months. The eventual team is expected to include up to 45 Para athletes in total. In mid-April, Paralympians Cameron Leslie, Nikita Howarth, Tupou Neiufi, Sophie Pascoe and Jesse Reynolds were selected to Tokyo 2020 in Para swimming.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be held from Tuesday 24 August to Sunday 5 September 2021 and will include 22 Para sports on the event schedule and up to 4,400 Paralympians competing. The Paralympic Games is the largest event worldwide for driving social change and inclusion.
Para athletes selected to the New Zealand Paralympic Team are:
Following the confirmation of the eligibility of the nominations received for the Tokyo 2020 IPC Athletes’ Council Election, the IPC would like to announce 22 athletes have been accepted as candidates to fill the six summer representative positions on the IPC Athletes’ Council:
List of candidates (in alphabetical order)
No.
Name
NPC
Sport
1
CAIRONI, Martina
Italy
Para Athletics
2
COETZEE, Louzanne
South Africa
Para Athletics
3
COOKE, Carol
Australia
Para Cycling
4
DIAS, Daniel
Brazil
Para Swimming
5
DURAND ELIAS, Omara
Cuba
Para Athletics
6
EJIKE, Lucy
Nigeria
Para Powerlifting
7
KANOVA, Alena
Slovakia
Para Table Tennis
8
KHETSURIANI, Irma
Georgia
Wheelchair Fencing
9
KRAVCHENKO, Vladyslava
Malta
Para Swimming
10
MILLER, Stephen
Great Britain
Para Athletics
11
MENDAK, Joanna
Poland
Para Swimming
12
NOZDRUNOV, Iurii
RPC
Para Table Tennis
13
OSMAN KHALIFA, Sherif
Egypt
Para Powerlifting
14
RODRIGUEZ GACIO, Susana
Spain
Para Triathlon
15
SCHIFFLER, Michelle
Germany
Sitting Volleyball
16
SUZUKI, Takayuki
Japan
Para Swimming
17
VANHOVE, Tom
Belgium
Goalball
18
VARGA, Katalin Eszter
Hungary
Para Canoe
19
VISSER, Jitske
Netherlands
Wheelchair Basketball
20
WALBY, Tony
Canada
Para Judo
21
WANG, Yanzhang
China
Para Athletics
22
ZAHRA, Nemati
Iran
Para Archery
The IPC Athletes’ Council Elections will take place from 19 August to 3 September during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the Proud Paralympian area in the Main Dining Hall. There will also be additional voting booths for Para Cycling athletes at the Izu La Foret hotel from 22 to 25 August and at Fuji International Speedway from 27 to 30 August.
We would like to take this opportunity to re-emphasise that the participation of all Aa accredited athletes in the voting process is crucial and we ask you to actively educate your athletes on this process and encourage them to cast their vote during the Games.
Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic partner, Airbnb, has launched an Athlete Travel Grant programme to support elite athletes impacted by the global pandemic and postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Airbnb and the IOC are offering up to 500 athletes $2,000 USD in Athlete Travel Support Credit redeemable for Airbnb accommodation bookings in upcoming training or competition travel, which we would like you to encourage your athlete community to apply!
The application can be found online here, and deadline to apply is Friday 14 May.
Application Process
The athlete should review the qualification criteria to ensure he or she is eligible. Then, the athlete must share a bit more about his or herself and their journey. Applicants will be reviewed based on selection criteria designed by the IOC, which will take into consideration all aspects of the application, including the personal statement provided as well as geography and sport to ensure diversity across recipients. To learn more about the selection process, see the Athlete Travel Grant Terms and Conditions. Those selected will be notified via email within 6-8 weeks from the application close date. Submissions will be accepted between 12:00am PDT 19 April 2021 and 11:59pm PDT 14 May 2021.
How to know if your athlete qualifies
Pro tip – before applying, make sure the athlete is eligible by reviewing the requirements below.
To be eligible, you must complete the application in full, and be/have:
Competed at an elite level as defined by the IOC and IPC, including competing at one of the following levels during the previous 40 months:
Olympic/Paralympic Games
World Championship
World Cup
Continental Championship
Tokyo/Beijing Olympic Qualifier
Tokyo/Beijing Paralympic Qualifier
Not currently serving sanctions for a contravention of the Olympic Charter or the IPC Handbook, any doping-related offense, or any other act against the integrity of sports competitions (e.g. match fixing).
Eligible to register for an Airbnb account under your own name and be legally able to receive Athlete Travel Support Credits from Airbnb. Airbnb users must be 18+ years of age.
You can find more information about the programme on the FAQ page here. For any questions about the application process, please contact AirbnbATG@blacktomato.com.
The IWRF is delighted to announce that the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship Division A has been awarded to France.
The European Championship will take place in Paris, 21st – 27th of February at a prestigious Parisian Sport Venue.
The European Championship Local Organising Committee is composed of members from CAPSAAA Paris Wheelchair Rugby Club, the Fédération Française Handisport and the Wheelchair Rugby French Commission.
IWRF President Richard Allcroft said,
“This is a great way to start 2021 by looking ahead at our future competition structure. In the middle of last year the IWRF restructured its calendar up to and including Paris 2024. This required squeezing 4 years of competition in to only 3 years. France has long been a member of the IWRF and have developed their national clubs and featured at the highest level consistently. After speaking with them over the previous few months it was clear that they were passionate and committed about promoting wheelchair rugby in the lead up to the Paralympic Games taking place in Paris in 2024. I would like to congratulate them on their strategic approach and wish them all the best in their preparations”.
Head of IWRF Competitions Kathy Newman added,
“The IWRF Competitions Committee was really impressed with the bid plans received and presented from Paris, France to host the 2022 IWRF European Championship – Division A. The Organizing Committee’s attention to detail was exemplary. France has made a commitment to event hosting and we are excited to continue to work with France. Each time they host an event they improve on the event delivery. As we move towards the 2024 Paris Paralympics hosting this event will build capacity to ensure an exceptional event”.
The top eight teams in Europe will play off to see who is crowned European champion over eight days of exciting wheelchair rugby.
Guislaine Westelynck, President of the French Handisport Federation stated
“It is a great honour for us to have the opportunity to host the 2022 European Championship. French Wheelchair Rugby have been booming for the last 10 years and France has become one of the top European nation in this discipline. On the brink of Rugby World Cup 2023 and Paralympics 2024 in Paris, we are honoured to co-organise with CAP SAAA Paris the first major international Wheelchair Rugby event in France. It is the beginning of a long story that is starting between France and IWRF to develop Wheelchair Rugby around the world”.
Ryadh SALLEM Founder of CAP SAAA Paris added:
“With various international events already organized (Women’s Cup, Wheelchair Basketball European championship …) CAP SAAA Paris is honoured to be associated with IWRF and FFH in organizing the European Wheelchair Rugby championship A. From the 21st to the 27th of February 2022 Paris will be the capital of the European Wheelchair Rugby for the first time in its young history in France. CAP SAAA Paris is a club of para sports (Basketball, Rugby, Swimming and Archery), mental disabilities (Basket and Athletics) and is dedicated to the promotion and awareness of disability through the universal values of sport.”
For further information please contact Kathy Newman (knewman@iwrf.com)
The draw for the Tokyo 2020 Wheelchair Rugby competition took place on Wednesday 28th April, at the Sheffield College campus in Hillsborough Sheffield. With the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) conducting proceedings.
The qualified Nations were drawn into two pools. With the draw taking place in pairs, each pair was pre-determined by the nations seeding in the world ranking list. With the tournament host Japan choosing Pool A.
The results of the draw are as follows :
The IWRF wish to thank the staff and students from the Sheffield College for supporting the draw at short notice and wish all the teams the very best in their preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 (Tokyo 2020) have today launched the second editions of the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks, with the version for Athletes and Team Officials.
Building on February’s publication, the new Playbooks provide more specific details to participants about the countermeasures that will help ensure safe and successful Games for all those taking part and the residents of Tokyo and Japan. Some of the key measures in the Playbooks can be found in the five-party joint statement.
The countermeasures detailed in the Playbooks are based on science, benefiting from learnings gathered during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to implementing the most effective tools being used throughout society, such as screening testing, mask wearing, personal hygiene and physical distancing, they also draw upon the experience of hundreds of sports events that have taken place safely across the world over the past year, with minimal risk to participants and the local population.
The Playbooks have been developed through the ongoing work of the All-Partners Task Force, which includes the Government of Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the IOC, IPC, World Health Organization and independent experts and organisations from across the world.
Speaking about the Playbooks, IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Tokyo and Japan have accepted the unprecedented challenge of organising the first postponed Olympic and Paralympic Games in history. We thank them for their great work in this respect and, as partners, we understand the great responsibility that everyone attending the Games must accept so that all participants and the Japanese population remain safe. This is why we have created the Playbooks, based on science and the best medical and event expertise available to us.”
He continued: “Providing more details about the operations that stakeholders can expect at Games time, we have also remained flexible to the evolving global situation, combining numerous countermeasures to create the safest possible environment. Increased testing for athletes and stakeholders, before and during the Games, is one important example. We’re also encouraged by the growing number of vaccinations being administered throughout the world. These tools will only work, however, if everyone shows solidarity and follows the guidelines. This is why those violating the rules can expect to be strictly dealt with in Tokyo. This is our commitment to the people of Tokyo and Japan, who are so kindly welcoming us to their city and country this summer.”
IPC President Andrew Parsons said: “With the support of the world’s leading experts in health and sport event delivery, the updated Playbooks offer greater information for everyone attending the Tokyo 2020 Games, outlining the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder.
“As with the first editions, special considerations for persons with disabilities are included in all Playbooks, and I believe the stringent measures outlined will offer reassurance and comfort to all Games stakeholders, as well as the people of Japan. We are taking every possible measure to deliver safe Games.” Tokyo 2020 President Hashimoto Seiko said: “The COVID-19 countermeasures included in the first edition of the Playbooks [published February 2021] have been reviewed and significantly updated in order to address the evolving situation of the pandemic. Rules to be observed by all Games participants during their stay in Japan have been expanded and clarified to include further details to ensure safe and secure Games.
“It is important that all stakeholders fully understand these rules, and that each and every one arrives in Japan with the understanding that their cooperation is critical to the success of the Games. We will hold online briefings for each of our stakeholder groups to ensure clear and comprehensive communication on these points.”
One of the key updates in this version of the Playbooks details daily testing, in principle, for athletes and those in regular contact with them, which will be a crucial part of minimising transmission and the risk of an uncontrolled outbreak. Testing will be used for general screening and for those identified as a close contact of a positive case; as well as for diagnosis for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
The latest Playbooks also outline the role of COVID-19 Liaison Officers (CLOs), to be appointed by each stakeholder, who will work very closely with Tokyo 2020 and Japanese health authorities. They will receive extensive training to enable them to play a key role throughout the Games, providing an essential support network for their delegation. The CLOs will ensure all members of their organisation are fully informed of the contents of their relevant Playbooks. In addition, they will be monitoring the implementation of all COVID-19 countermeasures, ensuring participants follow their detailed activity plans and managing any positive cases that are detected.
The publication of version two of the Playbooks builds upon the optimisation and simplification of operational plans, reduced delegations from all Olympic and Paralympic Movement stakeholders, and the decision and announcement in March by the Japanese side, and respected and accepted by the IOC and IPC, to not allow spectators from overseas to enter Japan.
In acknowledging the evolving COVID-19 situation around the world, the IOC, IPC and Tokyo 2020 reinforced their commitment to regularly update the Playbooks. They will continue to receive regular input from the All-Partners Task Force, taking into account the latest advances in science and developments on the ground, in close collaboration with experts. As part of this ongoing evolution, the next version of the Playbooks (which is expected to be final) will be published in June 2021.
The second published Playbook for Athletes and Officials can be viewed and downloaded Here and via the IOC and Tokyo 2020 websites.
The Wheelchair Rugby competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will include eight nations in two pools of four nations each. Nations will be assigned to pools using a random draw process.
The random draw will be conducted by the IWRF Competitions Committee in Sheffield, UK. The draw process will be shown live at 11.00 BST on Wednesday 28th April 2021 accessible through the IWRF Youtube account (IWRF – YouTube). Should any technical issues occur the draw will be shared immediately following its completion with the Paralympic Qualified Nations to the contacts listed on the IWRF MALS system.
Seed List
Nations will be seeded for the draw based on their relative standings on the IWRF World Ranking List as of 17th April, 2021 as follows:
World Ranking as ofApril 7, 2021
Nation
Tokyo 2020Seeding
1
Australia
1
2
United States of America
2
3
Japan
3
4
Great Britain
4
5
Canada
5
6
France
6
7
Denmark
7
10
New Zealand
8
Draw Process
During the draw, a system for selecting a random Nation will be used. The authenticity and suitability of the system has been confirmed by IWRF.
The process for the draw is as follows:
The teams seeded 1st and 2nd will be drawn first. The first team drawn will be allocated to Pool The remaining team will be allocated to Pool B.
The teams seeded 5th and 6th will be drawn second. The first team drawn will be allocated to Pool The remaining team will be allocated to Pool B.
The teams seeded 7th and 8th will be drawn third. The first team drawn will be allocated to Pool The remaining team will be allocated to Pool B.
Following the third draw, the Host Nation for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be invited to choose the Pool they wish to be allocated to. The remaining team, seeded 4th, will be allocated to the other pool.
In the event the Host team is unable to attend or confirm their decision during the draw, the following process will replace step 4 above:
The teams seeded 3rd and 4th will be drawn. The first team drawn will be allocated to Pool A. The remaining team will be allocated to Pool B.
