Pfizer, whose vaccine was the first in the world to be approved for use, made the offer during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, before reaching the agreement with the IOC. "We would like to thank Pfizer and BioNTech for this very generous donation to support the vaccination of athletes and Games participants ahead of Tokyo 2020." "By taking the vaccine, they can send a powerful message that vaccination is not only about personal health, but also about solidarity and consideration of the wellbeing of others in their communities. "We are inviting the athletes and participating delegations of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games to lead by example and accept the vaccine where and when possible. "This donation of the vaccine is another tool in our toolbox of measures to help make the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games safe and secure for all participants, and to show solidarity with our gracious Japanese hosts," said IOC President Thomas Bach. IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed the donation from Pfizer ©IOC They will only be available in territories which have approved the Chinese vaccines for use, which will also be the case as part of the IOC's deal with Pfizer. The Chinese Olympic Committee has also offered to vaccinate Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 teams, with the IOC paying for the cost of each dose. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) revealed last week that at least 60 per cent of athletes will be fully vaccinated in time for the event. The IOC has said vaccination will not be mandatory for athletes to compete at Tokyo 2020 but expects a "significant number" of participants will have received the jab before the Games. The announcement comes as the IOC and organisers struggle to convince a sceptical Japanese public that the Games should take place despite the pandemic. Japan, whose low vaccination rate has raised concerns over the fate of the Olympics and Paralympics, is among the countries to have bought doses of the Pfizer jab. It is not yet clear how many doses will be offered, but the IOC insisted they will be in addition to "existing quotas and planned deliveries around the world". Under the terms of the agreement, which represents a boost to the chances of the Games going ahead in their rescheduled slot, National Olympic Committees will be tasked with coordinating distribution with their respective Governments "in accordance with each country’s vaccination guidelines and consistent with local regulations". and BioNTech SE has penned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IOC following talks with the organisation and the Japanese Government. "I'm not ready to add fuel to the flames of speculation there in any way," Bach told reporters.The developers of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are set to donate doses to athletes heading to the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games after signing an agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
#A. MORGAN OLYMPIC GAMES TOKYO 2020 FULL#
"All indications are at this stage that it will be business as usual."įaced with a slew of questions during an interview last Thursday limited to Japanese media, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach reiterated that they are "fully committed to the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020," and he encouraged athletes to "go ahead with full steam with regard to their training and their preparations." He declined to speculate about a postponement or cancellation in response to Pound's comments. "In and around that time, I'd say folks are going to have to ask: 'Is this under sufficient control that we can be confident about going to Tokyo or not?'" Pound said in an exclusive interview last week.
He estimated there's a two- to three-month window to decide the fate of the games. Dick Pound, a former Canadian swimming champion who is now a senior member of the International Olympic Committee, told The Associated Press that organizers are more likely to cancel the event altogether than to postpone or move it to another location.
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