The Olympics Committee promises vaccines for participants

All sporting events around the world are facing changes with growing concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, especially the biggest international sporting event the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) confirmed they will be securing COVID-19 vaccines from China for any participant in the summer’s Tokyo games and the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

China Is Offering COVID Vaccines to All Olympic Athletes Competing in Tokyo and Beijing Games​ https://t.co/kR4dMWJkXR

— People (@people) March 11, 2021

The I.O.C. president Thomas Bach disclosed the Olympics will be covering the costs for vaccines for Olympic and Paralympic competitors through existing international agencies. The I.O.C. is working on securing a massive supply for all participants but the current cost and number of vaccines needed is unknown.

Polling in Japan indicates a strong trend against hosting the Games and the national vaccine program is still in early developmental stages. The general public of the hosting cities is skeptical of hosting a massive event with people from around the world but providing vaccines for participants will help to ease these doubts and this risk of being called a super-spreader event.

The International Olympic Committee will buy vaccines from China for athletes who need them before this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and next year’s Beijing Winter Games.

The deal comes as some in Japan fear the games may become a super-spreader event.https://t.co/ElvcLjQdaA

— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 11, 2021

The I.O.C. is working towards developing a vaccine distribution system that will be fair to others waiting for vaccines around the world. The I.O.C. has made an agreement with China states that for every Olympics participant receiving the vaccine, two vaccines will be available for the general public in the athlete’s home country.

The Chinese Olympic Committee is offering the additional doses promised to the I.O.C. with availability using two possible methods through collaboration with international partners or directly to countries with preexisting agreements for the use of Chinese vaccines. This vaccine program will help to get more people vaccinated while helping to deflect the growing public criticism and scrutiny over China’s human rights record before the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.