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The new dates for the postponed Olympic Games have been set. Tokyo will host the event almost exactly one year later than originally planned. Originally set to run from July 24 to August 9 of this year, the new opening is set for July 23, 2021 with the closing ceremony slated for August 8.
Organizing committee president Yoshiro Mori confirmed on Monday that a spring start had been considered, but more time was considered necessary to complete numerous outstanding qualification events. More than 40% of competing athletes are still to be determined. Rugby is fortunate in that regard with just one team each in the men’s and women’s draws to be finalised.
The knock-on effect with see several World Championships scheduled for 2021 postponed for another year. If the rugby event runs as intended in 2020, the new dates can expected to be July 25 to July 31, 2021. This could see the entirety of the 2020-2021 World Sevens Series completed before the Olympics.
It’s not clear yet if these dates will affect Rugby World Cup 2021 and the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022. The flagship women’s tournament is due to start on September 18 of next year in Auckland, New Zealand, while the 2022 event is scheduled for September in Cape Town, South Africa.
