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 "Effective Nov. 1, 2021, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee
will require all USOPC staff, athletes and those utilizing USOPC
facilities – including the training centers – to be fully vaccinated
against COVID-19," USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland wrote in a letter
reviewed by Reuters.
"This requirement will also apply to our full Team USA delegation at
future Olympic and Paralympic Games."
Athletes and staff would have to opportunity to obtain a medical or
religious exemption to the mandate, the USOPC said.
None of the major North American sports leagues require their
athletes to be vaccinated. The International Olympic Committee did
not require athletes who competed at the Tokyo Games to be
vaccinated although it was encouraged.
Hirshland said the USOPC had hoped COVID-19 restrictions would be
lifted by the end of the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games but in reality
the pandemic is "far from over".
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 "This step will increase our
ability to create a safe and productive
environment for Team USA athletes and staff, and
allow us to restore consistency in planning,
preparation and service to athletes," she said.
The move has the support of the Athletes'
Advisory Council and National Governing Bodies
Council, she said, which was further reinforced
by the Food and Drug Administration's approval
of the Pfizer vaccine and the recent mandates by
the U.S. federal government.
The Beijing Winter Games begin on Feb. 4 next
year.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles;
editing by Richard Pullin/Peter Rutherford)
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