In the midst of uncertainty about whether the Tokyo Olympics due to the covid-19 pandemic, the Mexican Olympic Committee is already working to ensure that national athletes traveling to Japan are possibly vaccinated next May or June.
In interview for MediotiempoCarlos Padilla, president of the COM, explained that he maintains a close relationship with the Federal Government so that the Olympic delegation be part of the vaccination program to catalog it as a priority group, although behind the medical staff and people of the Third Age, as the government has indicated in the vaccination schedule.
“We have considered give all its priority place to those who deserve it and they require to take care of all the people of Mexico, such as doctors, nurses, orderlies, in short, all the front-line medical personnel who fight against the coronavirus. Then people with chronic degenerative diseases and then the elderly will come. I estimate that in May or June we will be able to that our delegation begins to be vaccinated to give the time of 21 days to the second application of the vaccine and go to Japan with the largest number of athletes, “he said.
Padilla knows that the athletes themselves have requested to be vaccinated in order to meet your Olympic goals. Until now, Mexico has 88 classified athletes with 47 places (24 in the women’s branch and 23 in the men’s) and a total of between 130-150 athletes are aspired plus disciplinary teams. In addition to contemplating the Paralympic delegation that will compete in the Tokyo Paralympics.
However, the president of the COM made it clear that if the government of AMLO cannot provide the necessary doses, the International Olympic Committee has already communicated to all Committees that may have the support of an exclusive shipment for athletes.
“I have been in contact with the federal government, we are planning the logistics. If for some reason, because we hear that suddenly there are or no vaccines, we have foreseen by the International Olympic Committee support with a shipment of vaccines exclusively for the Mexican delegation“he commented.
In addition, that athlete who is vaccinated by his federation or even as a state support, must notify COM to allocate your dose to other athletes or members of the multidisciplinary team.
Vaccines for the soccer team and the FMF
In the COM they know that the Mexican Soccer Federation could at some point have the possibility of acquiring doses from private initiative, so in case the Mexican National Team U23 classify and be vaccinated with resources from that agency, these vaccines will be saved.
“Those who have already been vaccinated must take advantage of that moment and good disposition, like the one that the Mexican Soccer Federation may have and that will give us the peace of mind that we don’t have to look for so many vaccines. But it gives us peace of mind that someone does it outside of our program and let us know, “he said.
Due to a pandemic, sponsorships fell in the COM
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, some backers they preferred to step aside from the Olympic projectHowever, Padilla acknowledged that they have had new brands incorporated, adjustments in amounts and the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports He has already approached to request the total budget and thus allocate the resources that López Obrador promised at the time for Tokyo 2020.
“This pandemic dragged an important part of the world economy, there are sponsors with whom we are reducing the amount of their sponsorships or they are no longer sponsors. Fortunately they are emerging new brands that want to join.
“On the other hand, it gives us the peace of mind and support that Conade asked us for the budget in case it is required to provide what is necessary to athletes, I hope we don’t need to turn to him because the government and the country are in a state of economic emergency, “he said, in addition to pointing out that for the moment athletes have already insured travel, competition, award and concentration uniforms.