US drugs giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Thursday announced a deal with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to provide vaccines to competitors and staff at the Tokyo Games. "Delivery of initial doses to participating delegations is expected to begin at the end of May where possible with the aim to ensure participating delegations receive second doses ahead of arrivals in Tokyo," they said. The agreement was welcomed by IOC president Thomas Bach, who has already seen the Tokyo Games postponed from last year because of the pandemic. "We are inviting the athletes and participating delegations of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games to lead by example and accept the vaccine where and when possible," Bach said. In an attempt to appease the scepticism of the Japanese public, organisers last week tightened the anti-virus measures imposed on both Olympic delegations and the media.

Source: News 24 May 06, 2021 17:25 UTC