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Japan and the IOC are under intense pressure to hold a safe Olympics from July 23 to Aug. 8 after they had to postpone the games by a year. Some experts are worried, citing outbreaks in Tokyo and other heavily populated areas and Japan’s sluggish vaccine rollout.
Foreign fans will be barred from attending Olympic events and athletes will be tested regularly, among other safety precautions.
“This donation of the vaccine is another tool in our toolbox of measures to help make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 safe and secure for all participants, and to show solidarity with our gracious Japanese hosts,” IOC President Thomas Bach said.
By Bill Galluccio
May 6, 2021
Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they will be donating doses of their coronavirus vaccine to Olympic athletes and their delegations ahead of the Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The two companies said they expect to start delivering the vaccines by the end of the month to ensure that everybody receives their second dose before the Opening Ceremony on July 23. This donation of the vaccine is another tool in our toolbox of measures to help make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 safe and secure for all participants, International Olympic Committee President
The two companies said that donating the vaccines will not impact their ability to fulfill their supply agreements with other countries.
Olympic competitors to received vaccines donated by Pfizer/BioNTech 1 minute read
Madrid, May 6 (EFE).- Pfizer and BioNTech are to donate doses of their Covid-19 vaccine to competitors in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the International Olympics Committee said Thursday.
It comes as part of an initiative by organizers to ensure the Games go ahead safely.
“This donation of the vaccine is another tool in our toolbox of measures to help make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 safe and secure for all participants, and to show solidarity with our gracious Japanese hosts,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
He added: “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.