The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) on Wednesday welcomed Canberra's decision to speed up the Covid-19 vaccination procedure for athletes called to take part in the Tokyo Games, a preferential treatment that drew some criticism on social networks .
“We want our athletes to travel to Tokyo, compete and come back safely,” said Health Minister Greg Hunt.
AOC boss Matt Carroll spoke Wednesday of a "great relief" for those like him who will travel to Japan.
“This is great news for the athletes, great news for the managers,” he said.
Australia, which has been effective in the fight against the epidemic, due to the closure of its borders, has on the other hand been relatively slow in its vaccination campaign.
Less than two million people, out of a population of 25 million, received their first dose.
A decision that makes you tick
On social networks, Internet users criticized the fact that we put athletes first, some recalling that all teachers and health workers had not yet received their second dose. The government has set itself the goal of completing the vaccination in September or October. But he is unlikely to succeed. And some vulnerable people, especially in nursing homes, are still not fully immunized.
Australia is not the first country to take responsibility for putting its athletes first.
Belgium last week gave the green light to the administration in the coming days of an anti-Covid vaccine to 225 Belgian athletes wishing to participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In France, the vaccination of the French delegation to fly to the Olympics began on the sly, the authorities being very discreet about this campaign strongly recommended by the International Olympic Committee.
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