(Reuters) - The United States Olympic Paralympic Committee (USOPC) will help athletes find a COVID-19 vaccine but will not require them to get a shot to compete at the Tokyo Summer Games, CEO Sarah Hirshland said on Wednesday. Instead, the USOPC said it will provide logistical support connecting athletes and other personnel with places they can get the vaccine. "We are not tracking, we will not mandate the vaccine either for Team USA athletes nor for any other members of the delegation," said Hirshland during the opening session of the three-day Team USA virtual media summit. The USOPC is encouraging athletes and staff to get the vaccine particularly with Japan entering what appears to be a fourth wave of the pandemic just 107 days out from the Games Opening Ceremony. Carlin Isles, a former collegiate American football player and track athlete turned rugby standout, said that after initial reluctance he planned to get the vaccine.

Source: The Star April 07, 2021 18:25 UTC