IATF-EID prioritizes Olympic, SEA Games athletes for vax

The Philippine government will prioritize the vaccination of national athletes, coaches, delegates, and officials for the Tokyo Olympics and the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

This decision was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

The IATF-EID has also allowed Olympians and SEA Games competitors to begin their bubble-type training.

Eight Filipino athletes have qualified for the Tokyo Games, scheduled from July 23 to August 8, with the Philippine Sports Commission planning to send 626 athletes to the SEA Games from November 21 to December 2.

Notable Tokyo-bound athletes include boxers Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, Irish Magno, and Nesthy Petecio, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and rower Chris Nievarez.

Of these Tokyo-bound athletes, Eumir Marcial has received two vaccine doses in the United States, and Hidilyn Diaz received her first dose in Malaysia.