Image Source : GETTY IMAGES Sports minister Kiren Rijju final week stated: “Olympic bound athletes and officials are on the priority list, but it’s the health ministry to decide the overall details”
Uncertainty looms over Covid-19 vaccination for the Olympic Games hopeful athletes, says Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary common Rajiv Mehta. Although there are 5 months to go for the Tokyo Olympics, there isn’t a phrase on how the Japan-bound athletes can be vaccinated.
“As of now, there is no clarity when Olympic hopefuls will get vaccination for the contagious virus. Till date, archers, boxers, men and women’s hockey team, track and field athletes and wrestlers have achieved quota places for the rescheduled Olympic Games to be held from July 23 to August 8 in Japan,” Mehta stated in a letter despatched to the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and accessed by IANS.
To expedite the method of vaccination, Mehta has requested the well being ministry to take inventory of the state of affairs and provides two dosage of Covid-19 vaccination for the Olympic-bound athletes.
“Since the athletes and officials are training and staying at different locations, the IOA in coordination with the concerned National Sports Federations (NSFs) will have the vaccination done. We look forward for your kind consideration of our request and direct the concerned department to enable the athletes and officials to have the vaccination done in time, prior to their departure to Japan,” he has stated in his two-page letter.
According to the IOA secretary common, discussions with the well being ministry are happening, however it’s unsure when the method of vaccination for athletes will start.
“There are five months to go for the Tokyo Olympics, two-dosage of vaccination for athletes as well as for officials are required on priority. Therefore, we request your good offices to consider the vaccine for the Indian contingent, and may please arrange to issue necessary direction in this regard,” Mehta stated in his letter.
Sports minister Kiren Rijju final week stated: “Olympic bound athletes and officials are on the priority list, but it’s the health ministry to decide the overall details. All the athletes will be vaccinated before they go to the Olympics.”
Uncertainty additionally looms over the Olympics as many countries are nonetheless combating the surge of lethal Covid virus, moreover there’s opposition to the mega occasion from inside Japan.
India’s vaccination drive was launched final month with concentrate on well being care and frontline employees.
