Japan began vaccinating Tokyo Games-bound athletes for COVID-19 on Tuesday (June 1), the Japanese Olympic Committee mentioned.
The vaccination of wholesome athletes comes as solely 2-3 per cent of the general inhabitants in Japan has been totally vaccinated. Japanese Olympic Committee officers mentioned about 200 athletes have been vaccinated at a coaching middle on the primary day of the rollout. Japanese Olympic Committee officers didn’t identify any of the athletes. They additionally restricted protection of the occasion, probably fearing a public backlash.
Japanese Olympic Committee official Mitsugi Ogata mentioned the vaccination of younger athletes wouldn’t have an effect on distribution to the general inhabitants, together with the aged and medical employees.
“Vaccination operations for athletes are performed in a unique group from these for the nation,” Ogata mentioned.
The Tokyo Olympics are to open on July 23. The International Olympic Committee mentioned being vaccinated was not required for taking part within the Games. However, the IOC has inspired all athletes to be vaccinated.
President Thomas Bach mentioned he believed greater than 80 p.c of the residents of the Olympic Village in Tokyo will probably be vaccinated.
Olympic officers mentioned having athletes vaccinated will make the Japanese public really feel elevated security in regard to holding the Olympics.
Opinion polls in Japan confirmed 50-80 p.c of the Japanese public — relying how the query is phrased — as opposing holding the Olympics in July.
