Italy's Leonardo Fioravanti got the call to replace injured Jordy Smith and compete later this month at the Tokyo Olympics.
Just in from the Internationl Surfing Association:
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The ISA received official notice from Surfing South Africa that Smith will be unable to participate in Tokyo 2020 due to injury.
As per the Tokyo 2020 Alternates list published by the ISA, Fioravanti is the next eligible surfer to replace Smith via the qualification event from which Smith qualified: the 2019 WSL Championship Tour (CT).
The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has accepted the qualification slot for Fioravanti, finalizing the process.
Fioravanti placed 31st on the 2019 WSL CT and recently represented his country at the 2021 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games where he earned an equal 19th place.
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A huge congratulations to Leo Fioravanti and we look forward to his performances at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics running from the 25th of July to the 1st of August at Tsurigasaki Beach, Chiba, Japan.
Image Credits:
Leo in Wave by ISA / Ben Reed
Leo at Opening Ceremony by ISA / Pablo Jimenez