AOC WELCOMES GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR OLYMPIC ATHLETE VACCINATION

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has welcomed tonight’s announcement by the Federal Government that the Australian Olympic Team will be vaccinated ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games in July this year.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll says the announcements provides comfort and certainty for our athletes and officials travelling to Tokyo to represent their country.

"My personal thanks to Health Minister Greg Hunt and Sports Minister Richard Colbeck for their support and commitment - and of course to National Cabinet for making this important decision.

"There will be hundreds of very grateful athletes, coaches and their families relieved to know that their hard work over five years has been worth it. This added layer of assurance is what they were seeking.

"The AOC will be working with our partners Aspen Medical on the logistics to ensure the vaccination of our athletes does not place any additional load on the public system.

"We understand the enormous effort being undertaken by our Japanese hosts and the IOC to provide an appropriate environment by Games time. Testing before the Team leaves, on arrival in Japan and throughout the Games. And now we will have the vaccine.

"The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) will continue our own exhaustive efforts to keep the Team safe before, during and after the Games so our athletes can experience their Olympic moment and represent their country with pride."

"We are awaiting the second iteration of the Tokyo health and safety playbook and a further playbook in June. Our own specific measures will be finalised once we have that complete picture. "

The Australian Team travelling to Tokyo is likely to consist of between 450-480 athletes competing in more than 30 sports.

The Tokyo Olympic Games Opening ceremony will be held on July 23rd, 2021.

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