‘YOU CAN’T GIVE DINA A JAB BEFORE A NURSE OR POLICEMAN’

BRITISH Olympic bosses will not ask the Government to fast-track athletes for Covid-19 vaccinations ahead of the Tokyo Games as it would be ‘morally wrong’. The idea was mooted by the International Olympic Committee’s most senior member Dick Pound earlier this month as the ‘most realistic way’ the event could be staged this summer — a year on from its original 2020 date, with some 375 British athletes participating. But Sir Hugh Robertson, chairman of the British Olympic Association, said: ‘It would be completely morally wrong to seek dispensation for perfectly fit athletes to jump the queue while the clinically vulnerable and those on the front line await their vaccinations. ‘You could hardly say (world champion sprinter) Dina Asher-Smith should be jabbed before a policeman or a nurse. ‘I am absolutely confident the Games will go ahead because other precautions, such as testing, social distancing and bubbling, will be in place as necessary.’ It is understood that, barring an unforeseeable turn, the Games will happen because the Olympic movement could not withstand the financial ial hit of them not doing so. Without the revenue e brought in primarily y from TV deals, most importantly from America, several national Olympic committees and sports federations would go bust. The IOC could just about out withstand missing out ut on their big pay day — as could the BOA, albeit having to make cuts — but the thought of cancellation would be a huge problem for all the major players, including the Japanese organising committee. The certainty of the Games going ahead ahea will be reinfo reinforced in a call toda today between IOC pr president Thomas Ba Bach and various national Olympic committees. But B the prospect of th the Games taking pla place behind clos closed doors has increased increa after Pound said spectators spectat were ‘not a must-have’. Sportsmail understands organisers are considering making the Olympics a TV-only event, with a decision set to be made in March. Bach admitted yesterday that organisers will have to be ‘flexible’ with Covid cases rising in Japan. Meanwhile, London Marathon organisers have announced plans for a record 50,000 runners to take part in a rescheduled race in October — with another 50,000 being offered the chance to participate remotely. Last year’s marathon did not take place for the first time in the event’s 40-year history because of coronavirus restrictions. Event director Hugh Brasher said: ‘We are incredibly positive that we will be able to have 50,000 people running the London Marathon in person in 2021.’