IOC “Olympic athletes hit the Chinese vaccine”… “There was no discussion” perplexity in Japan

Japan was in a perplexing position when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it would provide a vaccine for the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) made in China to participants of the Tokyo Olympics, which kicks off in July. This is because it can lead to China’s’vaccine diplomacy’.

Chairman Thomas Bach speaks at the IOC General Assembly, which opened on the 10th. [로이터=연합뉴스]

According to Japanese media such as NHK, IOC Chairman Thomas Bach said at a general meeting held online on the 11th that the Chinese Olympic Committee made a proposal to provide Chinese-made vaccines to athletes and officials participating in this year’s Tokyo Summer Olympics and next year’s Beijing Winter Olympics. “We appreciate this proposal in line with the true Olympic spirit of solidarity,” Bach said. “The IOC will pay for it.”

The IOC and the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee are currently not obligating Olympic participants to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but are recommending that they get the vaccine in their own country and depart for Japan, if possible. This policy is interpreted as a means of providing a Chinese-made vaccine purchased by the IOC if there are any Olympic athletes and officials who have not been vaccinated beforehand, depending on the country’s situation.

China currently has two types of Corona 19 vaccines made by its domestic pharmaceutical companies Sinobac and Sinoparm.

Japan is bewildered by the sudden announcement of Chairman Bach. Japanese Minister Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference on the morning of the 12th that “the details are not being understood” and “there was no prior discussion with the IOC.” He said, “The Japanese government is looking for a safe and secure way to play the Olympics without the premise of a vaccine.”

On the 17th of last month when Japan started vaccinating against Corona 19, a medical worker (left) is getting the vaccine in Tokyo. [EPA=연합뉴스]

Japan has not yet decided on a vaccination plan for national Olympic athletes and officials. “The Olympics are not considered in the vaccine vaccination schedule,” said Taro Kono, the head of the vaccine, in charge of administrative reform. According to the current vaccination schedule, it is virtually impossible for athletes to complete vaccinations until July, when the Olympics are held. In that case, it cannot be ruled out that Japanese athletes receive Chinese vaccines at the recommendation of the IOC.

In response, Marukawa Tamayo said on the 12th, “Chairman Bach’s announcement seems to mean vaccination in countries where the vaccine is approved in China, and whether or not vaccination is to be determined in the country where the vaccine is approved (China). “He said. “In principle, Japanese athletes are not included in the Chinese vaccination target,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government is also delaying the decision on whether to accept overseas audiences for the Olympics. At an interview on the night of the 11th, Seiko Hashimoto, chairman of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, said, “There was a report that it was decided not to accept foreign audiences, but there is no decision yet.” Until then, I will judge.”

Tokyo = Correspondent Lee Young-hee [email protected]