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US athletes to be vaccinated ‘well before’ Olympics: USOPC
LOS ANGELES, March 11, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – US Olympic chiefs said Wednesday
they expect athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympics will be vaccinated
against Covid-19 “well before” the Games as US immunisation efforts surge
ahead.
In a conference call with reporters, United States Olympic and Paralympic
Committee chief executive Sarah Hirshland said the pace of the US vaccine
rollout meant athletes may now be vaccinated even before trials and
qualifiers for Tokyo.
“We are more optimistic than ever in hoping Team USA athletes will be
readily and easily vaccinated well before the Games, and hopefully, some
likely even before their trials,” Hirshland said.
“The vaccine situation is looking very positive … the broad base of
athletes may have access to the vaccine sooner than we thought initially
possible.
“This is great news and we’re feeling really positive about the progress
we’re seeing here in the United States, both in its advantage to US athletes
as well as international athletes living and training in our country right
now.”
Some 62 million people in the United States have received one or more doses
of the vaccine, about 19 percent of the adult population, while the White
House has targeted inoculating the adult population of 270 million people by
May.
Hirshland said most athletes were likely to be vaccinated as part of local
level immunisation programs, but did not rule out mass vaccination events
where athletes were gathered at a particular location.
“We’re exploring a variety of different scenarios,” she said. “It is
possible that vaccines may be readily and widely available in local
communities across the country as early as May based on what the
administration is telling us.
“That certainly provides the easiest logistical pathway for athletes
training in communities across the country, but we are also exploring
opportunities to help support that distribution.
“Ideally the vaccines are administered well in advance of that, but we’re
exploring every option. We’re focused on being as prepared as we can.”
Hirshland said while the “vast majority” of Team USA athletes would opt
for the vaccine, she was expecting some athletes to decline to do so.
“I absolutely expect there will be Team USA athletes who do not choose to
take a vaccine,” Hirshland said. “We will respect that right. There are a
variety of factors that may play into those decisions.
“Our medical teams are working with athletes on a one-on-one basis to make
sure they have the information they need to make the right choice for
themselves.
“With or without the vaccine, we’re confident we can keep everybody
healthy and safe regardless.”
Asked if Olympic officials had seen any evidence of reluctance to travel
to Tokyo, she added: “I don’t have any reports of hesitancy. Our team is
eager and ready to go.”
BSS/AFP/FI/0825 hrs