The International Wheelchair Rugby Federation has awarded the 2020 IWRF Paralympic Qualification Tournament to the Richmond Olympic Oval — March 2-9, 2020.
Eight countries will participate in the Qualification Tournament for the last two positions in the wheelchair rugby competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games not August.
Bids to host the tournament were received from Canada, France (Paris) and Germany (Bad Vilbel), with Canada and France proceeding to the final selection phase.
“My congratulations to Canada on an excellent presentation and bid package. They have a good reputation for delivering quality wheelchair rugby events. Recognition should also go to France for putting in a strong application and I encourage them to consider more bids, especially as we are already looking at the Paralympics in Paris in 2024,” said IWRF President, Richard Allcroft.
“Good luck to all teams competing in next year’s qualification tournament; I know the remaining two slots for Tokyo 2020 will be fiercely competed for.”
Laurel Crosby, President of Wheelchair Rugby Canada and BC Wheelchair Sports, said “We are honored to be selected as hosts for the 2020 IWRF Paralympic Qualification Tournament. We are excited to welcome teams to a world-class wheelchair rugby venue in the Richmond Olympic Oval and know that it’s going to be an exciting and spirited competition.”
Canada will be joined by five teams selected from the 2019 IWRF Zone Championship and two countries from the IWRF World Ranking List, including Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Korea, Sweden, and Thailand. The top two finishers will compete alongside Australia, Denmark, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States in Tokyo.
