Japan rejects China's offer to provide COVID vaccines for athletes in upcoming Olympic games

Japan will not allow their athletes to take the Chinese offered vaccine, but the International Olympic Committee has accepted the offer from China.

By Brianna Kraemer

Published: March 12, 2021 12:40pm

Updated: March 12, 2021 1:19pm

The International Olympic Committee accepted an offer from China to provide participants with vaccinations in the upcoming Tokyo Games and the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, but Japan says they have not been involved in the arrangements and will not take part in the offer.

Japan's Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa said Friday that the IOC has not told Japanese officials about the Chinese vaccination and Japanese athletes will not be taking it, as it have not been approved for use in Japan, according to the Associated Press.

"We have been taking comprehensive anti-infectious disease measures for the Tokyo Games in order to allow participation without vaccinations," Marukawa said. "There is no change to our principle of not making vaccinations a prerequisite."

IOC President Thomas Bach says the group plan to "make every effort" to have participants vaccinated, although they will not require to get vaccinated.

The Chinese vaccine offered to Olympic participants will be available only to countries that have authorized the Chinese formula through their national health agencies.

Most Japanese citizens do not want fans traveling to their country from abroad, and a decision has yet to be made on whether and/or how many fans will be allowed in Olympic venues.