New Zealand Olympics to get early Covid-19 vaccine | Olympic News

Olympic athletes deserving of queue for jumping Covid-19 vaccine on compassionate grounds or competing in events of “national significance”, says New Zealand minister responsible for coronavirus response

Last updated: 24/03/21 8:10 am

Kayaker Lisa Carrington was one of four New Zealand gold medalists at the 2016 Rio Olympics

Kayaker Lisa Carrington was one of four New Zealand gold medalists at the 2016 Rio Olympics

Athletes representing New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics later this year can apply to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before leaving.

Chris Hipkins, the minister responsible for New Zealand’s response to the global health crisis, said people would be eligible for the queue for jumping vaccines on compassionate grounds or competing in “major” events. nationally ”.

The second division would include Olympians, Paralympics and the national cricket team, which will travel to Britain to play India in the final of the ICC World Test Championship in June.

“The key criterion here is people traveling in an official capacity and ensuring their involvement is in our national interest,” Hipkins told reporters.

“They have to apply and it will depend on what kind of events they are taking part in, whether they meet the national interest criteria.

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IOC President Thomas Bach confirms that overseas spectators will not be able to attend the Tokyo Olympic Games or Paralympics due to the ongoing challenges posed by coronavirus pandemic

IOC President Thomas Bach confirms that overseas spectators will not be able to attend the Tokyo Olympic Games or Paralympics due to the ongoing challenges posed by coronavirus pandemic

“But of course, you expect the Olympians to be eligible under the national interest criteria and a national sports team participating in an important event would meet those criteria.”

New Zealand has been one of the most successful countries to have the virus and began the second round of vaccine distribution for border and quarantine workers last week.

New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) general secretary Kereyn Smith, who had lobbied for the Olympics to receive the vaccine early, said the news would be a relief to many athletes who were “dependent on for their seats ”.

“It is not mandatory but we feel it is a very positive and important step in keeping our athletes safe,” she told Radio New Zealand.

“They will be joined by 10,500 athletes from around 206 different countries so we feel for their own personal well-being and for the teammates, it would be a very important step.”

The New Zealand team for the last Olympics in 2016 was made up of 199 athletes, who competed in 20 sports in Rio de Janeiro and won 18 medals.

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