At the time of postponement, the primary venue for Equestrian sport at Tokyo 2020 was 95% complete
Listen to our interview with Tokyo 2020 Competition Manager for Equestrian, Alec Lochore
Follow our Tokyo 2020 Updates and Features here
As a part of the online FEI General Assembly on 23rd November, a report was tabled regarding the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in 2021
“The IOC, Tokyo2020, Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) and the Government of Japan have been working relentlessly through different taskforces to address this complex situation including developing COVID-19 countermeasure to allow for a safe environment for Athletes, Officials, stakeholders and all involved to allow the Olympic and Paralympic Games to go ahead” says the report
“The World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as the highest level of medical, technology and governmental experts are involved in the development of protocols involving testing technologies and quarantine restrictions, to address the effect of the worldwide pandemic on the Games”
The FEI as IF have been involved throughout the different steps to validate the decisions relating to our sport in regard to the re-planning of the Games and it is expected that an interim summary on Covid-19 countermeasures will be published by Tokyo2020 by the end of 2020.
The countermeasures will then be further developed and refined, including being applied by competition management within each venue, with the aim of finalising plans by May 2021.
Venue progress
1. Equestrian Park (Bajikoen)
By the time of postponement, the primary venue for Equestrian sport was 95% complete and almost ready to host the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian competitions. The final warm-up arena was due for completion in June. This was subsequently postponed until spring 2021 as this is a temporary/non-legacy facility. Many of the temporary structures are already installed and will remain in place until the Games next year.
FEI Footing Advisor Oliver Hoberg visited the venue in March together with Prof Lars Roepstorff and the footing contractor DeGrondslag. Testing was conducted to determine the optimum footing preparation and maintenance strategy for the Games. Improvement of the gallop footing remains under consideration.
The venue will host a series of national jumping and dressage competitions during November and December hosted jointly by the Japan Equestrian Federation and venue owners Japan Racing Association which will enable further testing of the venue and associated operations
2. Sea Forest Cross Country
The Eventing cross country venue at Sea Forest Park was similarly nearing readiness for the Olympic Games when postponement was announced. The obstacles have since been put into storage and will be re-positioned in spring 2021. Most temporary structures are already in place including stabling.
Footing maintenance continued for the remainder of the 2020 growing season. Various outstanding matters remain under consideration including preparation of spectator areas and construction of an extension to the warm-up area.
Find out more about the science behind some of the changes to the Tokyo 2020 cross country course and watch footage from the Tokyo 2020 Eventing Test Event
Michael Jung and fischerWildwave, winners of the 2019 Eventing Test Event
Competition Dates
The competition program has not changed with the exception of the start dates being brought forward one day for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Equestrian competition will now take place from 23 July - 8 August 2021 with the Eventing competition running from 29th July (First Horse Inspection) to 2nd August 2021
Olympic Regulations/ Qualification procedure updates
As per the Board decision, reviewed and approved by the IOC and published after the meeting in April 2020, the Tokyo 2020 qualification systems for the three disciplines was updated to include the new dates for the Games.
The modifications in the reviewed qualifications include the changes proposed for holding the Olympic Games in 2021 as follows:
- Date for Nominated entries set for 21 June 2021.
- Athlete/ horse combination confirmation result proposed for the different situations (full, partial and still to be obtained).
- Confirmation result details for the three disciplines (only 1 result to be achieved, not a full MER)
- Procedure for the publication of selected events for obtaining results
In addition, the Horse Ownership/Nationality dates were reviewed with the deadline for Horses to be registered with the FEI as property of owners of the same nationality of 15 January 2021. This is the same principle as for 2020.
Further to the IOC approval the Olympic Regulations were updated to include all date changes
Officials appointed for the Olympic Games
The appointment of Officials for Equestrian for the Olympic Games were renewed for 2021, with the exception of the President of the Jumping Ground Jury Jon Doney GBR who sadly passed away in April this year.
View the full FEI Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Report (PDF) tabled at the FEI General Assembly
