Under a new policy, announced Wednesday by U.S. Olympic Committee, all U.S. athletes who want to compete in the Winter Olympics must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a letter obtained from The Associated Press, Sarah Hirshland, CEO, stated that the USOPC would require all employees, athletes, and anyone using training centers or other USOPC facilities, to get vaccinated starting November 1.
She stated that the requirement "will also apply for our entire Team USA delegation at future Olympic or Paralympic Games."
According to the team website athletes will need to provide proof of vaccination before Dec. 1. Although the U.S. expects to send approximately 240 athletes to the Winter Olympics in the USA, the mandate will affect hundreds of others -- anyone who hopes to make the final squad.
Although the International Olympic Committee encouraged vaccines, it did not require them for athletes competing in the Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee's guidance was followed by most national Olympic committees, including USOPC. They strongly recommended vaccines but did not require them.
Next month will see the publication of the IOC's first "Playbook", a guidebook that provides health-related information and other guidance for Winter Games.
According to the USOPC's final count, 83% of the 600 American athletes who qualified for Tokyo received their shots earlier this year. According to the IOC, approximately 85% of athletes in the Olympic Village had been vaccinated.
Several Americans, including Bryson DeChambeau, a golfer, and Michael Andrew, a swimmer, spoke out about not being shot. DeChambeau was able to test positive just before he was due to travel to Japan. Andrew stated that he had previously contracted COVID-19 and hadn't planned to get vaccinated.
Hirshland stated in her letter that the USOPC was hopeful that COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted before the Tokyo Games.
Hirshland stated that "the stark reality is, this pandemic has not ended." This step will improve our ability to create a safe environment for Team USA athletes, staff, and allow us restore consistency in planning and preparation, as well as service to athletes.
Hirshland stated that athletes could apply for exemptions.
The USOPC policy is different from other American sports organizations like the NFL and NBA which do not have mandates. The NHL does not have any mandates, but it does have strict protocols that apply to unvaccinated athletes. These include stipulations that allow teams suspend unvaccinated teammates if they are unable to attend games because of COVID-19 travel restrictions or other related viruses.
Some NHL players can compete in the Olympics under an agreement.
