The Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland today welcomed the outcome of talks between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Pfizer Biontech which paves the way for the vaccination of Irish Olympic and Paralympic teams at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
6 May 2021, Vaccinations for the
accredited Irish Olympic and Paralympic athletes and support teams expecting to
travel to Tokyo, which numbers in the low hundreds, will be made available
directly by Pfizer Biontech. It will be supplementary to any existing delivery
agreements between Pfizer and the Irish Government, which through the EU allocation,
has increased very significantly in recent weeks.
The development is extremely welcome
given the very high levels of anxiety that a lack of vaccination was causing
among the team. A positive diagnosis this close to the Games still has the
potential to exclude athletes from competition. During Games time, vaccination
will be of crucial importance in providing protection for the team, and
minimising, although not removing entirely, the risk of contagion and
elimination from competition.
The news also alleviates the major
duty of care dilemma that was being faced as a result of sending a team
representing the country, into a known area of COVID 19 infection, particularly
when many other teams, and the majority of those athletes expected in the Olympic
village were expecting to be vaccinated through their own National agreements.
Speaking today, Olympic Federation of
Ireland President, Sarah Keane said,
“I would like to thank the IOC and
IPC on behalf of Team Ireland for this very significant breakthrough. It
provides the athletes and support staff who work so hard to represent us
internationally with the appropriate level of care in advance of the Games.
“Over recent months we have been very
conscious of the wider issues around us in society and were working intensely
to advocate for vaccination of the team at the appropriate time when those most
vulnerable in society had come first.
“This breakthrough is a major relief
for all of us given the significant challenges that we were facing and the lack
of time remaining to find a resolution. I take this opportunity to express our
sincere gratitude to Pfizer BionTech, the IOC and the IPC for helping to make this
possible with the support of the Irish Government.”
President of Paralympics Ireland,
John Fulham said
“Today’s announcement from the IOC in
relation to vaccinations for the Paralympic and Olympic Teams travelling to
Tokyo is very welcome and our sincere thanks goes out to Pfizer Biontech, the
IOC and IPC for the work they have done to make this possible.”
“To be able to provide the necessary
level of care for our athletes and staff, as they seek to perform at the
highest level, has been our primary concern. We have been working tirelessly in
seeking the best solutions, conscious of the broader societal pressures at this
time, ensuring those most vulnerable took priority.”
“We look forward to working with our
athletes, support staff, Olympic Colleagues, while being supported by our
Government so our Teams can travel to Tokyo and be in the best and safest
position to perform on the world stage. That is something for Ireland to look
forward to.”
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