Egypt has started inoculating its athletes against COVID-19 before they head to Tokyo to take part in the summer Olympic Games next month, local media reported on Tuesday.
Athletes who play table tennis, rowing, triathlon, fencing, gymnastics, badminton and karate received vaccine shots in a hospital east of Cairo as Egypt rolled out its vaccination campaign for its sportspersons. Staff members were also inoculated.
Egypt will be represented by 120 athletes, including 73 males and 44 females.
Olympic Games organizers have recently resisted growing calls in Japan to postpone or call off the mega sporting event over coronavirus concerns.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said in March that vaccines will not be compulsory for participants.
"The athletes and the national Olympic committees should follow their national regulations on vaccination. This is a clear government responsibility and in this, we will not interfere," Bach said.
"We will work with the NOCs to get as many as possible of the participants being vaccinated, but always within the relevant national guidelines."
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