The BOA DENY Mo Farah’s claims that athletes will be prioritised for vaccinations in time for Toyko

The British Olympic Association DENY Mo Farah’s claims that athletes will be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccinations in time for Toyko…saying the ‘vulnerable, elderly and front line workers’ take precedence

  • Mo Farah said athletes were told that they would be vaccinated ahead of Tokyo
  • The British Olympic Association has since denied claims they will be prioritised 
  • The BOA have stated they have ‘not spoken to any athletes about vaccinations’
  • The BOA are waiting for a ‘clearer understanding of the programme’s roll-out’ 

Sir Mo Farah’s claim that all athletes have been promised Covid-19 jabs before the Tokyo Games has been knocked down by the British Olympic Association, who insist no competitors will jump the queue for vaccinations.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Farah set off ethical alarm bells today when, in answer to a question about whether he thought this summer’s Games would take place, he replied: ‘What they have said to us is basically everybody will be able to get Covid injections.’

However, responding to Farah’s remarks, a BOA spokesperson told Sportsmail: ‘As we have clearly stated, the priority at this time remains the vulnerable, elderly and front line workers. We have not spoken to any athletes about vaccinations as we await a clearer understanding of the programme’s roll-out.’

Sir Mo Farah said athletes had been told that they would be vaccinated ahead of the Olympics

While Team GB athletes have not been promised jabs, Sportsmail understands they expect to receive them before the Games in July – but only in line with the national vaccination programme.

The Government’s plan is to have all over-50s, health and social care workers and adults with underlying health conditions jabbed before the end of April.

Vaccines will then be rolled out to the rest of the adult population – including Olympians – and the Government have publicly stated they want everybody to be offered a first dose by September, although privately they hope that will be even sooner.

However, the British Olympic Association have insisted no competitors will jump the queue

However, the British Olympic Association have insisted no competitors will jump the queue

Sportsmail understands the only preferential treatment athletes could receive is being vaccinated before others in the same category as them.

One British Olympian told Sportsmail: ‘From what we have heard within the system, it is likely we will be getting jabs before the Games – but well in line with Government strategy. We may get a bit of priority but only above people of similar age and health.’

The International Olympic Committee today also ruled out giving athletes priority access to vaccines – but admitted they want as many competitors to be jabbed as possible in a bid to save the Games.

They have written to all 206 national Olympic committees asking them to ‘actively engage with their respective governments’ on their vaccine roll-out schemes and ‘report back to the IOC in early February’.

IOC president Thomas Bach said their primary goal is to organise a 'safe' Olympic Games

IOC president Thomas Bach said their primary goal is to organise a ‘safe’ Olympic Games

The IOC are particularly concerned about getting vaccines to poorer countries and are working with the World Health Organisation on ways to do so.

IOC president Thomas Bach said yesterday: ‘In all these conversations and initiatives, the IOC is guided by four principles – firstly, to organise the Olympic Games in a safe environment for everyone.

‘Secondly, vaccination priority should be given to vulnerable groups, nurses, medical doctors and everyone who is keeping our societies safe.

‘Thirdly, we encourage all the Olympic and Paralympic participants who are offered vaccination to accept it, also as an act of solidarity with the Japanese hosts and their fellow participants. Fourthly, vaccination will not be obligatory.’

The IOC’s executive board are holding their first meeting of the year on Wednesday and will then update the media on their latest plans for Tokyo.