RIJIJU: PLANS ON TO VACCINATE OLYMPICS-BOUND ATHLETES, COACHES

NEW DELHI: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said an “arrangement” is being made to vaccinate India’s Olympics-bound athletes, coaches and support staff, but did not reveal a time frame when the drive will begin. “Our athletes are not coming into the category of either Covid warriors or senior age group. But keeping in mind the special place our elite athletes hold, I have spoken to the health minister (on vaccinating Tokyo-bound athletes),” Rijiju said during the pre-event conference of New Delhi Marathon at the JLN stadium.

“The vaccination will not be required on a large scale because our elite athletes are very limited. We are making some arrangements to vaccinate athletes, their training partners, coaches. We are working on that.” Asked when the vaccination for the athletes would start, Rijiju said: “It is a very sensitive thing and scientific also. We are going to discuss with experts to ensure that our athletes are given vaccination at the same time. They will be vaccinated because safety of our athletes is a priority. Maybe in a few days you will get to know,” he said.

In February, Rijiju said talks were on with the health ministry to prioritise vaccination of athletes. Sports ministry officials also spoke to the top shuttlers during an interaction that it is likely to start this month. Several countries like Hungary, Serbia and Israel have started vaccinating their athletes who will participate in the Tokyo Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee has recommended that athletes and officials get the vaccination, but it is not mandatory for participating in the Games.