U.S. Olympians must be vaccinated for 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing
All U.S. Olympians and Olympic hopefuls for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing must be vaccinated against COVID-19, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced Wednesday.
All USOPC employees and contractors must be vaccinated by Nov. 1. Anyone hoping to be part of the U.S. delegation in Beijing must be vaccinated by Dec. 1.
As with most organizational vaccine requirements, exceptions are allowed for medical and religious reasons.
The International Olympic Committee has not issued any vaccine mandate for the Beijing Games, which start Feb. 4, 2022. Vaccine access remains inconsistent throughout the world, with richer countries holding many more doses.
An estimated 240 U.S. athletes will travel to China for the Games, a far cry from the 600-plus who went to Tokyo earlier this year for the Summer Olympics.
Neither the U.S. nor the IOC required vaccines for the Tokyo Games. The USOPC estimated that 83% of the American delegation was vaccinated, with the IOC putting the number at 85% among all Olympians.
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansKiichiro Sato
Fireworks illuminate over National Stadium viewed from Shibuya Sky observation deck during the Opening Ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. There are officially 4,403 athletes competing in Tokyo, a record number for any Paralympics. They represent 162 nations and territories, which includes a refugee team. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Kiichiro SatoFireworks illuminate over National Stadium viewed from Shibuya Sky observation deck during the Opening Ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. There are officially 4,403 athletes competing in Tokyo, a record number for any Paralympics. They represent 162 nations and territories, which includes a refugee team. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEugene Hoshiko
Alexa Szvitacs of Hungary prepares to serve against Danielle Rauen of Brazil in Class 9, Group A of women's table tennis at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Eugene HoshikoAlexa Szvitacs of Hungary prepares to serve against Danielle Rauen of Brazil in Class 9, Group A of women's table tennis at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEugene Hoshiko
Ibrahim Hamadtou of Egypt plays against Park Hong-kyu of South Korea in Class 6, Group E of men's table tennis at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Eugene HoshikoIbrahim Hamadtou of Egypt plays against Park Hong-kyu of South Korea in Class 6, Group E of men's table tennis at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansShuji Kajiyama
Argentina's Mariela Delgado competes during a heat of the Cycling Track women's C5 3000m Individual Pursuit at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Izu, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Shuji KajiyamaArgentina's Mariela Delgado competes during a heat of the Cycling Track women's C5 3000m Individual Pursuit at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Izu, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansKiichiro Sato
France's Maxime Valket, left, and Greece's Panagiotis Triantafyllou compete for a bronze medal in men's sabre individual category B at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Kiichiro SatoFrance's Maxime Valket, left, and Greece's Panagiotis Triantafyllou compete for a bronze medal in men's sabre individual category B at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEmilio Morenatti
Daomin Liu competes at Women's 200m Individual Medley - SM6 Heat 1 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Emilio MorenattiDaomin Liu competes at Women's 200m Individual Medley - SM6 Heat 1 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEmilio Morenatti
Sumeyye Boyaci, from Turkey, competes at Mixed 4x50m Freestyle Relay - 20 Points Heat 2 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Emilio MorenattiSumeyye Boyaci, from Turkey, competes at Mixed 4x50m Freestyle Relay - 20 Points Heat 2 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansShuji Kajiyama
Mark Ingemann Peters of Denmark falls during a pool phase group match of Wheelchair Rugby at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Shuji KajiyamaMark Ingemann Peters of Denmark falls during a pool phase group match of Wheelchair Rugby at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEmilio Morenatti
Yulia Pavlenko of the Ukraine competes in the women's T11 long jump at the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Emilio MorenattiYulia Pavlenko of the Ukraine competes in the women's T11 long jump at the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEugene Hoshiko
Sam McIntosh of Australia prepare to compete men's 400m in the T52 class at the 2020 Summer Paralympics, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Eugene HoshikoSam McIntosh of Australia prepare to compete men's 400m in the T52 class at the 2020 Summer Paralympics, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEugene Hoshiko
United States's Susannah Scaroni competes in the women's 5000-meters T54 final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Eugene HoshikoUnited States's Susannah Scaroni competes in the women's 5000-meters T54 final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansKiichiro Sato
Beatriz Hatz of the United States competes in the women's T62 long jump final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Kiichiro SatoBeatriz Hatz of the United States competes in the women's T62 long jump final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansShuji Kajiyama
Argentina's Mauricio Ibarbure competes against Japan's Takumi Nakamura in the boccia individual BC1 pool match at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Shuji KajiyamaArgentina's Mauricio Ibarbure competes against Japan's Takumi Nakamura in the boccia individual BC1 pool match at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEmilio Morenatti
United States' Allysa Seely holds a U.S. flag after winning the women's triathlon PTS2 at the Odaiba Marine Park at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Emilio MorenattiUnited States' Allysa Seely holds a U.S. flag after winning the women's triathlon PTS2 at the Odaiba Marine Park at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansKiichiro Sato
Australia's Andrew Edmondson falls during a semifinal wheelchair rugby match against the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Kiichiro SatoAustralia's Andrew Edmondson falls during a semifinal wheelchair rugby match against the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEmilio Morenatti
Swimming athlete Siyazbek Daliyev, from Kazakhstan, stretches before the Men's 50m Backstroke - S5 final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Emilio MorenattiSwimming athlete Siyazbek Daliyev, from Kazakhstan, stretches before the Men's 50m Backstroke - S5 final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansShuji Kajiyama
Australia's Ryley Batt falls during the wheelchair rugby bronze medal match against Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Shuji KajiyamaAustralia's Ryley Batt falls during the wheelchair rugby bronze medal match against Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansShuji Kajiyama
Joshua Wheeler of the United States, right, is blocked by Britain's Stuart Robinson during the wheelchair rugby gold medal match at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Shuji KajiyamaJoshua Wheeler of the United States, right, is blocked by Britain's Stuart Robinson during the wheelchair rugby gold medal match at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansEugene Hoshiko
Mexico's Erick Ortiz Monroy competes in the men's F53 seated shot put final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Eugene HoshikoMexico's Erick Ortiz Monroy competes in the men's F53 seated shot put final during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Photographer, his leg lost, seeks answers from ParalympiansKiichiro Sato
Japan's Yui Kajimi competes during women's doubles quarterfinal tennis match against China's Huang Huimin and Huang Jinlian at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Kiichiro SatoJapan's Yui Kajimi competes during women's doubles quarterfinal tennis match against China's Huang Huimin and Huang Jinlian at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Each athlete has unique differences that have to be classified according to individual impairments. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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U.S. Olympians must be vaccinated for 2022 Winter Olympics in BeijingLintao Zhang/Getty Images North America/TNS
A sculpture depicts Olympic figure skaters for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics at Shougang Park on December 16, 2020, in Beijing. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images/TNS)
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images North America/TNSA sculpture depicts Olympic figure skaters for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics at Shougang Park on December 16, 2020, in Beijing. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images/TNS)
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