%20(3).png){kind=small}
![TFD [LOGO] (10).png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bea252_c1775b2fb69c4411abe5f0d27e15b130~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_150,y_143,w_1221,h_1193/fill/w_179,h_176,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/TFD%20%5BLOGO%5D%20(10).png)
NO PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN VACCINATION OF TOKYO OLYMPICS ATHLETES -- IOC
- By The Financial District
- May 8, 2021
- 2 min read
The International Olympic Committee announced that it will provide athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics with doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine free of charge.
According to the IOC statement, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is approved in Japan will be made available to national Olympic committees and are to be distributed in coordination with the local governments of participating countries.
Bearing in mind the somewhat slow rollout of Coronavirus vaccines in Japan, both the host country and the IOC have instructed that athletes not be given preferential access, which Japanese Paralympic Committee President Mitsunori Torihara reiterated following the IOC announcement.
"In Japan, the premise is that nothing will get in the way of vaccinating health care workers, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions," Torihara said in a statement released by the JPC.
"But I have told the Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic games, (Tamayo) Marukawa, that if it is possible, we should proceed with vaccinating Japan's Olympic and Paralympic teams."
Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita likewise said he told Marukawa that vaccinations of Olympic participants must not impede the vaccines being reaching those considered as higher priorities.
According to Marukawa, the vaccines will be available at the end of this month, and Japan could expect enough doses to inoculate 1,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches.
While those entrusted with delivering safe and secure games are undoubtedly encouraged by the news that more athletes will be better protected against the coronavirus this summer, the idea of preferential treatment for athletes is a concern for some.
"I am uneasy with priority based solely on being connected to the Olympics," Yoshihito Miyazaki, the Japan Table Tennis Association's development director, said. Olympic organizers have already ruled out allowing nonresidents to attend the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics and could decide to hold the games behind closed doors.
