The Chinese Olympic Committee has offered to give free COVID-19 vaccination to athletes travelling to Tokyo, Japan, for the 2020 Olympic Games.
 
The Tokyo Olympic Games is said to be hosted from July 23-August 8, 2021.
 
Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee Secretary-General Auvita Rapilla in an exchange of emails told the Post-Courier that they are grateful to the Chinese Olympic Committee for the offer.
 
Rapilla said: “PNGOC is aware of the offer from the Chinese Olympic Committee and we are grateful to the Chinese Olympic Committee for the offer”.
 
The offer from the Chinese Olympic Committee to the International Olympic Committee is to make this vaccine available to the National Olympic Committees that would require support in getting the vaccines.
 
She further said that the vaccine will need to be approved by the PNG Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee and the vaccination will only happen in line with the guidelines of PNG.
 
“We are requesting for the inclusion of Team PNG to be recipients of the PNG approved vaccine only,” she added.
 
Meanwhile, Team PNG has set July 17 as the tentative travel date in which athletes will depart Japan within 48 hours after the completion of their competition wherever possible.
 
When asked about the COVID-19 vaccines offered by the Chinese Olympic Committee and Team PNG athletes vaccination, Rapilla said: “Taking the vaccine, however, is not compulsory to attend the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and will remain a personal choice of each athlete and official.”
 
However, so far Team PNG has secured two spots in Sailing obtained by the Numa siblings; Teariki and Rose-Lee.
 
“All other sports are yet to complete their qualification events before Tripartite Invitational Places and Universality Places are confirmed,” said Rapilla.

SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS

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