Indian Olympic Association working with AIIMS officials to vaccinate Olympic-bound athletes

Concerned over the increasing number of athletes contracting COVID-19 at top training centers, the Indian Olympic Association has asked officials to get the Olympic-affiliated athletes vaccinated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) soon. new Delhi. Thirty sports persons and support personnel returned to Sakushal after 741 precautionary tests were conducted at the National Center of Excellence in Patiala and Bengaluru on Wednesday. Even though positive results at both centers do not involve any Tokyo Olympics athlete, the IOA does not want to take chances as they are training at similar facilities.

“We are concerned with athletes testing positive for COVID-19, although all Olympic-bound athletes are safe. But we have to vaccinate them as soon as possible. We have written to the Ministry of Health twice in this regard but so far no There is no headway. ”IOA Secretary General Rajiv Mehta told PTI.

“Therefore, we already have two rounds of discussion with the AIIMS Resident Doctors Association general secretary (Dr. Rajeev Ranjan). He said that athletes can start vaccinating. So, I will call the AIIMS director on Friday to expedite the process.” I am writing to do. ” He added.

Mehta wrote a letter to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in February requesting that Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes be considered for vaccination on a priority basis to give them enough time before going to the Games.

Around 80 Indian athletes have so far qualified for the Olympics, which will be held from July 23 to August 8 after being postponed due to the COVID-19 epidemic last year.

Mehta is also writing to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on the advice of IOA chief Narendra Batra about a plan to vaccinate Olympic-bound athletes, so that there are no complications later.

“The president of the IOA felt that we should seek approval from WADA so that there would be no problem later, as we are applying a vaccine, although it is a vaccine. He is also an IOC member and knows the rules and regulations.

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“Therefore, I am also writing to Wada on Friday that we are going to vaccinate the athletes associated with the Olympics. We are hoping that there will be a response from Wada as soon as possible and also from AIIMS so that we can start the conclusion of the Olympics. Able. Inbound athletes. “

Coronovirus caseloid is on the rise with more than 70,000 new infections in the country on Thursday.