Olympic Channel to show live coverage of Tokyo 2020 boxing qualifiers
By Dan Palmer
Live coverage of the five boxing qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 will be shown by the Olympic Channel, it has been announced.
The International Olympic Committee platform has been named as the exclusive worldwide digital rights holder for the tournaments.
Every men’s and women’s bout will be streamed across all of the weight categories, both online and on apps for mobile and television.
Commentary will be in various languages and live studio shows will be broadcast before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.
“The upcoming boxing qualifiers highlight the Olympic Channel’s live event calendar on the road to Tokyo 2020 as the world’s best athletes prepare for next summer’s Olympic Games,” said Mark Parkman, the general manager of the Olympic Channel.
“Boxing fans around the world will be excited to know that there is one dedicated place to follow the journeys behind their favourite athletes and Olympic hopefuls in their quests to achieve their Olympic dreams.
“We look forward to showcasing the sport of boxing and bringing these stories to life through our comprehensive coverage to a worldwide audience.”
The boxing qualifiers will begin with the African event in Senegal’s capital Dakar, between February 20 and 29.
Amman in Jordan will then host the Asia and Oceania event between March 3 and 11, following its relocation from Chinese city Wuhan due to the coronavirus outbreak.
London is staging the European event between March 13 and 23, with the Americans qualifier in Buenos Aires in Argentina from March 26 to April 3.
Boxers who have not yet qualified will then have a final chance at a world qualification tournament in Paris between May 13 and 24.
All five qualifiers are being organised by the IOC’s boxing taskforce after the International Boxing Association (AIBA) was suspended as the governing body for the sport in May.
It followed a six-month investigation into AIBA amid concerns regarding its governance, finances, refereeing and judging.
Full Qualification Table
20-29 February – African qualifying event in Dakar, Senegal – commentary in English and French
3-11 March – Asia/Oceania qualifying event in Amman, Jordan – commentary in English, Hindi, Mandarin and Russian
13-23 March – Europe qualifying event in London, Great Britain – commentary in English and Russian
26 March-3 April – Americas qualifying event in Buenos Aires, Argentina – commentary in English and Spanish
13-24 May – Final qualifying event in Paris, France – commentary in English and French