Analysis of the features of olympic qualification systems in combat sports

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the features of current qualification systems in combat sports. It was established that the International Sports Federations (ISF) develops the Olympic qualification systems and specific criteria for athletes to obtain licenses. The structure and content of these systems may differ in each Olympic cycle. In 2021-2024 cycle, qualification at the Olympics in combat sports is possible in two ways: through the athlete's position in the official ISF ranking or by demonstrating a certain result at qualifying tournaments. In taekwondo, judo and fencing it is possible to obtain "direct" qualification for the Olympic Games through the official ISF ranking or demonstration of a certain result at the qualifying tournament ("tournament of last hope" for participants from NOCs who have not yet obtained an Olympic license). The possibility of qualifying in team depends on its high place in the official ISF team ranking. If a certain team could not qualify through to the world ranking, its members are able to do it only in individual events (by individual qualification). For boxing and wrestling, qualification to the Olympic Games is possible by certain result in special tournaments or "tournaments of last hope" (for participants from NOCs who have not yet obtained an Olympic license). The range of weight categories in which athletes may participate is almost equal for men and women. The differences in the Olympic qualification systems for the 2024 XXIII Games in Paris are its duration, the ownership of the obtained license (personal or for the NOC), the number of types of competitions, the presence of different rankings (world, continental, Olympic, individual, team).