Veterans in race against Tokyo time

From Federer to Felix, the postponement of the 2020 Games appears problematic for a number of aging superstars

With the 2020 Olympics postponed until next year, there are fears the delay will shatter the gold-medal hopes of many aging athletes.

AFP Sport looks at six veteran stars for whom a delayed Tokyo Games might be a step too far.

ROGER FEDERER

The 20-time tennis Grand Slam champion, who will be 40 in August 2021, won Olympic gold when he partnered Stan Wawrinka to the men's doubles title at the 2008 Beijing Games. Federer was a singles quarterfinalist in China and a silver medalist at London 2012 before injury forced him to miss Rio 2016.

At Sydney 2000, Federer made the singles semifinals but those Games still hold a special place in his heart because it where he first started his romance with Mirka Vavrinec, now his wife.

"Overall it was probably the most unbelievable Olympics I ever had," said Federer, who was also Switzerland's flag-bearer in Beijing and at Athens 2004 where he exited in the second round.