New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smith welcomed the IOC's decision to honour existing athlete quota spots for Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has welcomed what it calls the "increased clarity" around the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games following a conference call with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

NZOC was one of more than 100 National Olympic Committees involved in the call with the IOC.

During the call, the NOCs learned that a decision on when the Tokyo Olympics would be rearranged for was expected within the next three weeks, and that all quota spots already secured would remain with the nations and athletes that earned them.

Olympic Solidarity scholarships for Tokyo athletes and refugee scholarship grants are also unaffected.

"We are thankful the IOC will be honouring existing athlete quota spots which is fantastic news for our New Zealand team athletes," said NZOC chief executive Kereyn Smith.

"A huge amount of work went into our sports and athletes earning those spots and we are pleased they will be retained.

The final athletes selected by the New Zealand Olympic Committee before the hold on selections - from left Natalie Rooney, Chloe Tipple and Tom Burns ©NZOC
The final athletes selected by the New Zealand Olympic Committee before the hold on selections - from left Natalie Rooney, Chloe Tipple and Tom Burns ©NZOC

“We also look forward to learning the exact date of the Games. 

"Our athletes have reacted extremely well to the postponement of the Games and having a date to work towards will allow them to carry out the meticulous planning and the training required for an Olympic Games performance".

While the quota spots remain with New Zealand, a hold is being placed on nominations and selections to the country's team until new dates for Tokyo 2020 and further information is received.

New Zealand nomination and selection criteria for all but three sports will be redrafted and new qualification events will be confirmed by the IOC and International Federations once new dates are set for the Games.

There are currently twelve athletes in the New Zealand team for Tokyo 2020 - seven sailors, two canoe slalom competitors, two shooters and one taekwondo competitor.

Blair Tuke, Peter Burling, Molly Meech, Alex Moloney, Sam Meech, Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson are the seven sailing representatives with Luuka Jones and Callum Gilbert the two canoe slalom competitors selected.

The last three athletes picked before the hold was put on selections were Natalie Rooney and Chloe Tipple, both representing shooting and Tom Burns, for taekwondo.