Olympic Athletes to Be Offered COVID-19 Vaccine Before Games

Olympic Athletes to Be Offered COVID-19 Vaccine Before Games.

On Thursday, the International Olympic Committee announced its initiative to increase safety at the upcoming Summer Games.

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All athletes and officials traveling to Tokyo, Japan, for the Olympic Games will be offered doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

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The committee has struck a deal with the drugmaker to provide doses to the participants in their home countries.

The shots will then be administered via domestic inoculation programs. In a statement, the committee said this vaccine initiative was launched to “contribute to the safe environment” of the Olympic Games and "out of respect" for Japan's residents.

So far, less than one percent of people in Japan are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Although competitors are encouraged to get vaccinated, it is not a requirement.

We are inviting the athletes and participating delegations of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games to lead by example and accept the vaccine where and when possible.

, IOC President Thomas Bach, via statement .

By taking the vaccine, they can send a powerful message that vaccination is not only about personal health, but also about solidarity and consideration of the wellbeing of others in their communities, IOC President Thomas Bach, via statement