Trevor James
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about whether Olympic athletes should be required to be vaccinated. While some Olympic athletes have chosen to get vaccinated, others have refused, citing concerns about side effects or personal beliefs. There has been debate about whether athletes should be prioritized for vaccines, especially in the context of the Tokyo Olympics, which took place during a state of emergency in the host city. While there was no mandate for athlete vaccination at the Tokyo Olympics, the Beijing Olympics introduced stricter policies, requiring vaccination or a 21-day hard quarantine. The decision to prioritize athletes in vaccine rollouts involves ethical considerations and has sparked discussions about vulnerability and risk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination requirement for athletes at the Tokyo Olympics | No |
| Percentage of vaccinated athletes at the Tokyo Olympics | 80% (IOC projection in June) to 85% (IOC assurance) |
| U.S. Olympic team vaccination requirement | No |
| U.S. Olympic swim team vaccination rate | 90% |
| U.S. men's rugby team vaccination rate | 100% |
| U.S. Olympic athletes unvaccinated | Michael Andrew, Kyle Snyder, and Leanne Wong |
| Vaccine concerns | Side effects, conspiracy theories |
| Vaccination requirement for athletes at the Beijing Olympics | Yes |
| Alternative to vaccination for athletes at the Beijing Olympics | Three-week "hard" quarantine |
| Daily testing requirement at the Beijing Olympics | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
No vaccine mandate for Olympic athletes
There was no vaccine mandate for Olympic athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympics. The U.S. Olympic team, for instance, did not require vaccinations for athletes, although some individual teams had higher vaccination rates. The Washington Post reported that 90% of athletes on the U.S. Olympic swim team were vaccinated, while USA Today reported that the U.S. men's rugby team collectively agreed that vaccinations were positive.
Some athletes chose not to be vaccinated due to concerns about side effects interfering with their Olympic training, while others refused, believing the virus was a global conspiracy. Despite the lack of a mandate, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) projected that over 80% of Olympic and Paralympic athletes were vaccinated against COVID-19.
For the Beijing Olympics, however, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) implemented stricter policies. Athletes, team staff, and journalists arriving at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games were required to be vaccinated at least 14 days before their arrival in China. Those who were unvaccinated faced a three-week "hard quarantine" period, longer than the Games themselves. This decision was made to safeguard the safety and health of all participants and the Chinese population during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Unvaccinated athletes face 21-day quarantine
The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory for Olympic athletes. However, athletes who are unvaccinated will face a 21-day hard quarantine upon arrival in Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics. This period is longer than the duration of the Games themselves, which will be held from 4 to 20 February 2022. The Paralympic Winter Games will be held from 4 to 13 March 2022.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has released new COVID-19 "playbooks" for the Beijing Olympics, which outline stricter policies compared to the Tokyo Summer Olympics. According to these guidelines, athletes, team staff, and journalists visiting China for the Games must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before their arrival. To be exempted from vaccination, individuals must have a medical reason, as the policy does not consider religious beliefs or other conditions that usually allow for exceptions in the U.S.
Those who are unvaccinated will be required to undergo a three-week quarantine in a tightly controlled area, such as a hotel room. They will also need to comply with daily PCR testing requirements. It is important to note that the costs of these tests are not complimentary and will be incurred by the individuals.
The decision to mandate vaccination or a lengthy quarantine period aims to safeguard the safety and health of all participants and the local population. However, it remains uncertain how this policy will impact Team USA, as many event rosters are yet to be finalised.
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Concerns over side effects and conspiracy theories
While Olympic athletes were not required to be vaccinated to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, some chose to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their peers. Indian shooter Abhishek Verma, for instance, stated that he had to get vaccinated to play the Olympics and that it would be unsafe for his co-athletes otherwise. He was willing to brave any side effects from the vaccine to participate in the Tokyo Olympics.
However, some athletes chose to remain unvaccinated due to concerns about side effects and conspiracy theories. Some athletes have cited concerns about vaccine side effects interfering with their Olympic training. Limited data is available on the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in athletes. However, a retrospective study found that fever and arm pain were more frequently reported after the first dose, and myalgia was more common after the second dose.
Some athletes have also refused to get vaccinated due to conspiracy theories. For example, swimmer Michael Andrew, wrestler Kyle Snyder, and gymnast Leanne Wong remain unvaccinated. Leanne Wong is reportedly isolating as a close contact of a COVID-infected teammate. According to the USPOC chief medical officer, Jonathan Finnoff, some athletes don't believe the virus exists and think that the vaccine is a tracking device.
Conspiracy theories about athletes dying from the COVID-19 vaccine have also gained traction among COVID-19 skeptics. Former NBA player John Stockton and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson have contributed to the spread of these theories by claiming that many athletes are dropping dead on the field after receiving the vaccine. These claims have been widely circulated by conservative media outlets and websites that promote anti-vaccine misinformation.
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Ethical debate about athlete prioritisation
The prioritisation of Olympic athletes for vaccination has been a subject of ethical debate, with differing opinions and perspectives. On one hand, there are arguments in favour of prioritising athletes to ensure their safety and well-being while they compete internationally. This is particularly relevant during a global pandemic, as their health and performance are critical for their careers and national representation.
However, others argue that prioritising athletes over more vulnerable populations, frontline workers, and high-risk individuals raises ethical concerns. From a deontological perspective, which focuses on universal standards and codes of justice, prioritising athletes could be seen as unfair and unjust. It contradicts the principle of prioritising those most in need and at risk, which is a fundamental ethical guideline in healthcare.
The teleological approach, on the other hand, considers the consequences of decisions and aims for the greatest benefit for the largest number of people. In this context, prioritising athletes' vaccinations could be justified if it results in a successful Olympic Games, benefiting athletes, audiences, sponsors, and the economy. It could also contribute to a sense of national pride and unity, especially during challenging times.
The decision-making process involves multiple stakeholders, including athletes, vulnerable populations, sports organisations, countries, sponsors, media, and audiences. A cost-benefit analysis and risk mitigation plan are essential to anticipate and address the consequences of either decision.
In the case of the Tokyo Olympics, there was no mandate for athletes to be vaccinated, and the debate centred around whether they should receive priority access. For the Beijing Olympics, stricter policies were implemented, with unvaccinated athletes facing a three-week "hard quarantine". These varying approaches highlight the ongoing ethical complexities surrounding athlete prioritisation for vaccination in different contexts.
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High estimated athlete vaccination rates
While athletes were not required to be vaccinated to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) projected in June that over 80% of Olympic and Paralympic athletes were vaccinated against Covid-19. This number may now be higher, as the IOC has received assurances that at least 85% of delegation members from countries' National Olympic Committees have been vaccinated. Individual sports teams may also have higher vaccination rates: for instance, the Washington Post reported in June that 90% of athletes on the U.S. Olympic swim team were vaccinated.
The Beijing Olympics will have stricter policies than the Tokyo Olympics. Athletes, team staff, and journalists arriving at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games will be required to be vaccinated at least 14 days before arriving in China or face a three-week "hard quarantine" in a tightly controlled area, such as a hotel room. This quarantine period is longer than the Games themselves. The vaccine requirement can be waived on a case-by-case basis for medical reasons, but religious beliefs or other conditions that frequently allow for exceptions to vaccine rules in the U.S. are not mentioned.
The debate surrounding athlete vaccination rates and prioritization is complex. While some argue that athletes should be prioritized to ensure the Olympic Games can proceed, others believe that vulnerable populations and front-line workers should receive vaccines first.
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Frequently asked questions
No, athletes did not have to be vaccinated to participate in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. However, athletes who were unvaccinated against COVID-19 had to quarantine for 21 days.
The IOC told Forbes that their vaccination programs have been "very successful", but they did not disclose the exact number of athletes vaccinated. They also stated that “all athletes and Games participants who are fully vaccinated will enter the closed-loop management system upon arrival".
Yes, since November 1, 2021, Team USA has required all American Olympic athletes and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or seek a medical or religious exemption to access team facilities or events.
