Gov't okays prioritization of Olympians, SEAG delegates in COVID-19 vaccination program

The government has approved the prioritization of athletes, coaches, delegates and other sports officials participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in July and the Vietnam Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in November in the government's COVID-19 vaccination program, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this is provided under Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolution 116 adopted this week.

The Vietnam SEAG organizers have already mandated full vaccination for competitors of the biennial meet.

Only Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 since he got vaccinated while training in Las Vegas, United States.

As this developed, the IATF has also allowed training for Olympians and competitors of the Vietnam SEA Games in a bubble setup.

Filipino athletes who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics so far include Marcial, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Irish Magno and rower Cris Nievarez

The Philippines last tasted Olympic glory during the 2016 Rio Games when weightlifter Diaz snatched a silver medal. —JMB, GMA News