“Chinese-made vaccine for the Tokyo Olympics” The flight of the IOC president “China’s favor” Is it a “stepping stone” to the next Beijing Winter Olympics? | PRESIDENT Online

Suddenly, “Vaccine made in China for the Tokyo Olympics” emerged.

As the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics were being debated this summer, Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), suddenly raised the idea of ​​introducing a Chinese-made vaccine at the Games. The Japanese side was confused by the unexpected development, and Toshiro Mutou, Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, commented: “I have not heard anything in advance. Vaccination is a national decision.”

Photo = Press photo of Jiji

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspecting the National Stadium = November 17, 2020, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo[Foto representativa]

As I will mention later, no vaccination is required to participate in the Olympics. What is behind the statements made by the president, which may lead to the misunderstanding that athletes and related parties will be forced to inoculate? I would like to explore the current situation based on official materials and interviews with related parties.

Bach’s comments emerged at the ordinary general meeting of the IOC on March 11. In the five-part online talks for the Tokyo Olympics, although there was no prior meeting, “the Chinese Olympic Committee will give vaccinations to participants of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games scheduled for this summer and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Beijing Winter 2022 “. There was an offer to provide it. “

In response to this, reports they received that “unvaccinated athletes and officials should apply a vaccine made in China” spread around the world. The suspicious views of the China-IOC coalition also overlapped, with the media not only in Japan but also around the world reporting articles that followed the truth of the president’s statements.

Vaccination “recommends and supports”

First, what does the IOC think about its response to vaccines? If you read the “Official Playbook for Athletes / Team Officials” which corresponds to the previously published “Participation Manual for Tokyo Olympics Participants”, you will find the following description.

“The IOC asks the Olympic and Paralympic teams to get vaccinated.” “We recommend and support vaccination in your own country according to your own vaccination guidelines before entering Japan.”

Furthermore, “I believe that the Japanese should trust that all measures have been taken to protect not only the tournament participants, but also the Japanese themselves (Tokyo Olympics = editorial department note). There is also an attitude of that the Tokyo Olympics are taking care not to cause the spread of the coronavirus in Japan.

In conclusion, it is clearly stated that “vaccination is not mandatory to participate in the contest”.