Priority for Olympic athletes to receive the Covid-19 vaccination is being sought by the New Zealand Olympic Committe ahead of the July Tokyo Games.
The government plans to start vaccinating frontline workers in April and the general public from July but the NZOC is trying to find out where Tokyo bound athletes might fit in any vaccine schedule.
Tomorrow marks six months until the scheduled start of the Games and NZOC chief executive Kereyn Smith knows athletes won't be at the top of the list but is seeking indication on where they might fit in.
"We're starting that conversation with (New Zealand health officials) but there is quite a lot of water to go under the bridge there just in terms of how we fit into the timing and priority, respecting of course there are priorities higher than athletes so we understand that - but we have opened the conversation with government about the vaccine."
NZOC chief executive Kereyn Smith. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"We would hope that in the fullness of time that we would fit into the vaccination programme over the next few months," said Smith.
"We know what know is what we have to do, the questions we are now working through is how that will happen. Vaccines is one of those questions and there's probably 99 other questions and we just have to work through those in a logical manner.
"We cannot understate the importance of the Games to athletes, although the dates have changed their ambitions have not. They desperately want the Games to happen," said Smith.
Smith believes the Games will go ahead but they "will be a vastly different event from what we're used to".
"We need to ensure that athletes are safe and secure and this will require strict implementation of a wide range of countermeasures. These will include; mask-wearing, testing, social distancing, hygiene requirements, restrictions around access to non-essential people, limited time in the Olympic environment and more," she said.
Will New Zealand athletes get to celebrate Olympic medals in Tokyo.... like Eric Murray, Hamish Bond, Mahe Drysdale, Peter Burling, Blair Tuke and Lisa Carrington at Rio in 2016. Photo: Photosport
"There is no Plan B....and I understand their determination. The Olympic Games by vitue of its size and scale is a really important event ...so there is a lot at stake and they are determined to give it the very best shot they can."
There's also billions of dollars at stake.
"There is always that component and you can't shy away from the fact ...the Olympic Games is a major part of the funding structure for world sport, so even in the last 12 months with the Games being deferred it has had a significant impact on stakeholders from community (sport) right through to international federations and their viability."
-RNZ
