With the unfortunate tournament cancellations this year, there are no more tournaments that hold Olympic qualification points. We take an early glimpse at what the Tokyo 2021 qualification picture looks like now for Europe. 

Of course, the below lists are by no means a final list of qualifiers. They are a representation of which players/pairs could qualify if this ranking list (based only on the accrual of world ranking points from tournaments within the Olympic Qualification Period) was used to determine the list of qualifiers.

 

Tripartite Commission positions and host positions have not been confirmed at this time but it is likely that a number of these positions will be utilised. So, things can still change! 

WR 11 – Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN)

WR 15 – Mark Lamsfuss/ Marvin Seidel (GER)

WR 18 – Vladimir Ivanov/ Ivan Sozonov (ROC)

WR 19 – Marcus Ellis/ Chris Langridge (GBR)

WR 36 – Jelle Maas/ Robin Tabeling (NED)*

*In July 2020, the European Games men’s doubles bronze medallist, Jelle Maas, announced his retirement, therefore giving up this qualification spot. 

Scotland’s Adam Hall/ Alexander Dunn are just four places behind, however, competing under Team GB, they would not be considered. The next best-ranked eligible European pair are French brothers Toma Junior and Christo Popov at 51 in the world. 

England’s Ben Lane/ Sean Vendy, BWF World Tour Finals semifinalists and Orleans Masters winners, briefly threatened to chase down the reigning Olympic bronze medallists, Ellis/ Langridge, but at 25 in the world, the exciting pair will have to sit this one out. 

The top four pairs on their way to Tokyo are the same pairs featuring on the 2021 European Championships podium. However, it will be the ROC pair Vladimir Ivanov/ Ivan Sozonov that will be announced as the continental champions as they step onto the court. The ROC team will train in Vladivostok, just across the Sea of Japan from Tokyo, to train in a similar climate. Perhaps they will be the ones to watch as they go for likely their last attempt at an Olympic medal. 

WR 11 – Gabriela Stoeva/ Stefani Stoeva (BUL)

WR 15 – Maiken Fruergaard/ Sara Thygesen (DEN) 

WR 16 – Chloe Birch/ Lauren Smith (GBR)

WR 17 – Selena Piek/ Cheryl Seinen (NED)

Much like the men’s doubles, the 2021 European Championships podium will be going to Tokyo, led by double European Champions, the Stoeva sisters. 

This quartet qualified comfortably in the end, but three pairs from strong nations dropped out of the race for various reasons. Ranked at 27, Ekaterina Malkova (née Bolotova)/ Alina Davletova miss out for ROC as Malkova became a mother. Germany’s Linda Efler/ Isabel Herttrich fought to the end, however, the injury disruption to Efler proved too much. Similarly, Emilie Lefel/ Anne Tran, ranked at 30, ceased to be a pair due to the retirement of Lefel, caused by a serious long-term injury. With the long pause in the qualification period, they gave qualification another go but fell short. 

A select few can boast qualification in two categories, Selena Piek is one and shared this message to her fans. 

- Such an unreal feeling to be able to participate in my second Olympic Games in both disciplines. It has been a hell of a rollercoaster ride and I’m beyond proud to be representing the Dutch flag with Cheryl and Robin by my side! 

WR 8 – Marcus Ellis/ Lauren Smith (GBR)

WR 14 – Thom Gicquel/ Delphine Delrue (FRA)

WR 15 – Robin Tabeling/ Selena Piek (NED)

WR 16 – Mark Lamsfuss/ Isabel Herttrich (GER)

WR 17 – Mathias Christiansen/ Alexandra Bøje (DEN)

There are two notable omissions from the European mixed doubles cohort. Firstly, the European Champions will not be there. ROC pair Rodion Alimov/ Alina Davletova are ranked 18 in the world and agonisingly miss out on the final spot to go to Tokyo. 

The 23-year-olds could not do much more when they travelled to Kyiv and defeated the highest-ranked European pair, Ellis/ Smith, in the final. But they will have to stay motivated and look to the World Championships later this year. 

-Now for a little rest before tournaments and we will fight again, said Alimov.
 

Secondly, Team GB mixed doubles pair, former two-time European Champions, Chris and Gabby Adcock, will not on the plane to Tokyo. The second-highest ranked pair in Europe, at number 12 in the world, can certainly be noted down as a casualty of COVID-19 in terms of their qualification campaign. 

At the beginning of the year, the Adcocks were in twelfth on the Race to Tokyo ranking, just two places behind their fellow Brits, Ellis/ Smith. Getting both pairs into the top eight would grant them both an Olympic place. However, Gabby Adcock suffered from Long Covid post-Christmas, which stopped them from competing and put an end to their race.  

The 2021 European Championships silver medallists, Ellis/ Smith, will fly the British flag. The two bronze medallists in Kyiv make it in at 16 and 17. Particularly pleased are Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen/ Alexandra Bøje who speaking after the Swiss Open final said they are not thinking about the Olympics because they are too far away. Well, plans have changed and they can happily book their tickets now! 

For the full Race to Tokyo ranking, click here.