Latvia will be represented at the Tokyo Olympics by Maluka and Bobrov – Other sports – Apollo.lv – Sports

It is planned that Maluka will start in the competitions in 100 and 200 meters freestyle swimming, but Bobrov – in 200 meters bras.

Taking into account the qualification procedure and procedure set by the International Swimming Federation (FINA), after the end of the previously approved qualification period, the LPF Coaches Committee has recorded the highest quality results of athletes and Germans Jakubovskis).

During the qualifying period of the Olympic Games, Bobrovs has achieved the highest result among Latvian athletes, earning 826 points according to the FINA 2021 points table at the Lithuanian Open Championship 200 meters away at the end of May, finishing in two minutes and 14.41 seconds.

In turn, Maļuka has managed to secure the first place in the Latvian ranking among the ladies already in 2020, reaching the national record in the 200m freestyle (2: 01.15). This result has given the athlete 811 FINA points. In addition, taking into account the changes introduced by FINA, her result in 100 meters freestyle (55.57) allows to prepare for the Olympic start in two distances – 100 meters and 200 meters freestyle.

The qualification procedure established by FINA stipulates that Member States whose athletes have not qualified for participation in games with a result are entitled to use the rules of invitation (“Universality places”) and to enter one of the best athletes in the women’s and men’s competition.

FINA requirements stipulate that places on the “Universality place” are awarded to athletes who take the first place in their national category in the national rating, and these applications must be submitted no later than June 20, while the LPF Coaches Committee decided last year that Latvia will close soon – on June 7. This decision was made with the aim to ensure full preparation of qualified athletes for participation in the most important starts of the four-year period.

This will be the Olympic debut for both athletes. Swimming competitions are included in the program of the Olympic Games in the period from July 24 to August 1.

So far, 23 Latvian athletes have qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games.