With several weeks to go before the start of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, U.S. Olympic swimmer Michael Andrew said he won’t be taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
The 22-year-old will compete in the 100-meter breaststroke, 200-meter individual medley, and 50-meter freestyle. He previously won the 100-meter individual medley during the world championships and last month placed first in the 100-meter breaststroke at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
“My reason behind it is—for one, it was in the last moment; I didn’t want to put anything in my body that I didn’t know how I would potentially react to,” Andrew said. “As an athlete on the elite level, everything we do is very calculated. For me in the training cycles and especially at trials, I didn’t want to risk any days out, because there are periods where if you take a vaccine, you have to deal with some days off.”
Athletes who are competing in the Olympics aren’t required to get the vaccine. Japan this week, however, declared a COVID-19-related emergency due to rising infections, leading Olympic organizers to ban all spectators when the Games start on July 23.
Later in a conference call, Andrew, who said he likely won’t receive the vaccine in the distant future, said he will comply with the COVID-19 testing and other protocols while in Tokyo.
USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey said he believes “around 90 percent” of the U.S. national team has received the vaccine.
Several weeks ago, Buffalo Bills receiver Cole Beasley similarly announced he wouldn’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, although for different reasons. In a tweet, Beasley said he'd rather retire than receive the shot.
“Fine me if you want. My way of living and my values are more important to me than a dollar. I love my teammates and enjoy playing ball because all the outside bs goes out the window in these moments. I just want to win the Super Bowl and enjoy these relationships that will be created along the way.”
The Epoch Times has contacted Team USA for comment.
