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IOA secy writes to Harsh Vardhan, AIIMS chief for vaccination of Tokyo-bound athletes
In a letter to Union Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan, IOA secretary-general, Rajeev Mehta, referred to a communication of February.
The Indian Olympic Association made a fresh request on Monday to authorities, including the union health minister and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, to immediately arrange Covid vaccination for the country’s Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes and officials.
In a letter to Union Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan, IOA secretary-general, Rajeev Mehta, referred to a communication of February. He requested that the minister help vaccination on a priority basis for the athletes bound for the July 23 to August 8 Games.
In a letter to AIIMS director, Prof Randeep Guleria, Mehta said: “Approximately 158 athletes from India are expected to participate in almost 17 disciplines. Two dosages of vaccination for the athletes and officials representing India is required considering on priority. Since the athletes and officials are training/staying at different locations, the Indian Olympic Association and the concerned National Sports Federation will coordinate to have the vaccination done.”
IOA also sought the World Anti Doping Agency’s (WADA) directions for the vaccination of Indian athletes bound for Tokyo. Mehta’s mail to WADA pointed to the two vaccines—COVISHEILD by Serum Institute of India and COVAXIN by Bharat Biotech—available in India.
“The Government of India has permitted these two vaccines for its citizens and the vaccination is still going on in India. We would like to request the WADA for its director’s approval to vaccinate the Indian athletes and the officials,” the letter says.
It is learnt that only last month, union sports minister, Kiren Rijiju, had said the Tokyo-bound athletes would be given priority for the vaccine followed by other athletes.
“I request the government to take up the issue on priority as vaccination to the Indian athletes is a kind of insurance to their safety in this crisis situation. We are already late in this process and delaying the process will only hamper India’s chances of winning medals at Tokyo,” Mehta said.
“The government is already spending so much money on athletes’ training, preparations etc., and I don’t understand for what they are waiting for? Get all the athletes and officials vaccinated immediately so that everything would remain perfect,” he added.
Some of the Tokyo-bound athletes, wrestler Bajrang Punia, archers and rowers have got vaccinated. “I followed the procedure which has been laid out for the common man. I had registered for it. I am feeling ok, there was a slight headache and heaviness after I took a shot but I am perfectly alright now,” Bajrang told the media after being vaccinated last month.
