COVID-19 Vaccines a Big Boost for Filipino Olympians

Everyone is counting on the efficiency of the vaccines against the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) as it can pave the way for life to gradually revert to the pre-pandemic normal. And in the world of sports, an efficient vaccine against COVID-19 inches the industry closer not just to welcoming fans back to the arenas but also to allow athletes to compete internationally with fewer worries to think about.

For national training director Marc Velasco and the rest of the officials from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), having the Filipino Olympic-bound athletes vaccinated before flying for Tokyo this July is a "big boost".

Velasco also bared that PSC thru Chairman Butch Ramirez has already sent a notice addressed to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases about the possibility of having our athletes vaccinated prior to the Tokyo games. Velasco also clarified, "We are not saying that the athletes should go first (be vaccinated first),

He added, "We sent our intention to the IATF that we’re asking for help when it comes to vaccines because we have the Tokyo Olympics coming up, and we also have other Olympic qualifying tournaments.”

Velasco concluded, "Of course, if given (vaccines), it's a big step. I won't say freedom of movement but we can mitigate the effect of the virus in terms of how our athletes train and compete," 

Photo is from Rappler