Olympic Updates: Anouck Jaubert and Michael Piccolruaz Earn Ticket For Tokyo 2020
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Anouck Jaubert, from France, and Michael Piccolruaz, from Italy, have received invitations to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Their invitations were issued because of the unused Tripartite Commission quota.
The Tripartite quota, which totaled one spot per gender, was originally supposed to be issued to athletes from less competitive countries to give them a chance to participate in the Olympics. The quota was meant to enhance the Olympics’ universal appeal by giving small or disadvantaged countries representation. Athletes eligible for this spot were to be selected from participants at the Hachioji Combined World Championships. Only one athlete that attended the World Championships qualified to apply for the Tripartite selection: Zàhéér Ahmád from Pakistan.
The IFSC paid part of Ahmád’s way to the Combined World Championships and covered his accommodations fees. Unfortunately, Ahmád was not fully informed about eligibility requirements, and he evidently didn’t read the rules. To be eligible for the selection, Ahmád must have competed in all three disciplines, however he did not participate in Lead.
Since Ahmád was the only Tripartite candidate that could have qualified, the Tripartite invitation will be unused and the quota issued to Jaubert and Piccolruaz. According the Qualification system, they received the quota because of their placement in the World Championships, where they placed 11th and 14th, respectively.
Jaubert will compete alongside four other teammates, Julia Chanourdie, Bassa Mawem and Mickael Mawem. France has therefore met its maximum athlete quota. Unfortunately for France’s other top female athletes, such as Fanny Gibert, this means they will no longer be able to qualify for Tokyo through the upcoming European Championships.
Likewise, Michael Piccolruaz will join his compatriots Ludovico Fossali and Laura Rogora in Tokyo. Italy’s male quota is full, so no male Italian athletes, including Stefano Ghisolfi, may qualify for Tokyo.
The eight remaining Olympic invitations will be awarded at the remaining continental championships, which are scheduled as follows:
- IFSC European Championships in Moscow (RUS), from October 1 to 8
- IFSC African Championships in Cape Town (RSA), date To Be Defined
- IFSC Asian Championships, location and date TBD
- IFSC Oceania Championships in Sydney (AUS), date TBD
The IFSC Executive Board has determined the qualification process will conclude by December 31, 2020.
Feature Image by Eddie Fowke/IFSC
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