Silence, it vaccinates!
The French delegation which is due to fly to the Tokyo Olympics (July 23 - August 8) has started receiving vaccines on the sly in its last weeks.
The authorities wish to be discreet about this campaign, however strongly advised by the IOC and already underway in other countries.
"Yes, it has started. We are doing it, but discreetly," a senior member of the French Olympic movement told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Sensitive subject
Why so many precautions?
The subject is visibly sensitive.
The Ministry of Sports canceled last Friday a trip to the Yvelines, where Roxana Maracineanu was to discuss the issue of the vaccination of the French delegation before the Olympics.
"It's a bit stuck. Some within the executive find it difficult to assume that athletes are prioritized while everyone is not yet vaccinated in France," assures a source close to sports bodies.
While more than 13.5 million people have received a first injection in France, according to the schedule announced by Emmanuel Macron a few weeks ago, the vaccination should be open to all from mid-June.
But with the Tokyo Olympics starting on July 23, the window is extremely short for a two-shot vaccine three weeks apart.
Too much even.
Important timing
“There is a timing to get vaccinated. It shouldn't be too late before the Olympics, because if it's too late and there are side effects, it can cripple the athlete. it should not be too early either because priority people must be vaccinated before, ”summarizes the co-chair of the high level athletes' commission, Astrid Guyart.
The equation is indeed not simple.
>> To read also: Covid-19: the Yvelines vaccinodrome, yellow jersey of vaccination in France
"There are also athletes who are still trying to get their qualification. They cannot afford to contract the virus. That is why the sequence is critical. In any case, this is the time to put the subject on. the table, ”she says.
This question of the prioritization of athletes before the Olympics has been raised for several months already.
If the IOC does not have the power to impose it, it nevertheless strongly recommended it.
And some countries have already announced that they have launched the vaccination of their delegation, as recently in Belgium.
"But in France, it is difficult to assume that and to communicate on it. There is, however, an authorization for the members of the delegation to be vaccinated," assures this senior official of French Olympism.
"We live in the age of social networks, we are at the time of infinite precaution. And there, we are afraid to say that athletes come first, while at the moment there are vaccines that are lost, "he regrets.
"They told us not to communicate"
Thus, a coach of a French team which is due to leave for Tokyo at the beginning of July explains to AFP, on condition of anonymity, having received his summons "a few days ago to get vaccinated and receive his first dose of Pfizer vaccine ".
"But they told us not to communicate on it," he explained, assuring that some of the athletes he supervises "had some fears, in particular side effects linked to the vaccine".
Questioned Monday morning, the Ministry of Sports did not quite confirm the same version, assuring that the members of the French delegation, "a small population of 1,400 people made up of athletes and executives", would be offered slots "from this week".
The idea of a dedicated vaccination center, based at Insep in Vincennes, near Paris, for a time considered, was not retained, athletes being invited to go to the "nearest vaccination center" of their training location, ”the ministry said.
With AFP
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