Mart Seim, who contracted coronavirus in March, will miss the Tokyo Olympics

Estonian weightlifter Mart Seim will not compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games due to limited competition opportunities. According to Mart Seimi’s coach, Alar Seim, who spoke on Vikerraadio’s “Sportapäev” program, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) denied a request for Seim to compete in the junior world championships outside of ranking consideration at the end of May. The IWF initially considered proposals from lifting officials for such an opportunity, but ultimately provided an unfavorable response, leaving no alternative for achieving a fourth result needed for Olympic qualification.

Seim’s final competition was initially scheduled for April in Russia at the European Championships, but this was canceled due to a COVID-19 infection. Hope was then placed on a competition in Saudi Arabia. The Tokyo Games qualify eight men based on ranking, plus five from each continent and one additional athlete with special permission.

Seim’s fourth result, a lift of 410 kg, would have surpassed Hungarian Peter Nagy, securing a European spot. Seim will now continue preparations for the World Championships in Peru later this year.

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