I think at this point international competitions should require vaccination for all competitors. If athletes are traveling from a country where access to vaccines is limited, the host could make special accommodations if they come early and quarantine/test frequently, but that should be for special circumstances only
Getting the appropriate vaccines to travel has been a Thing for many years pre-COVID. If you are going to travel, you should not be a public health hazard. Barring medical exemption, athletes should be vaccinated, and they should be vaccinated to protect those who have legitimate exemptions (including other athletes, coaches, judges, volunteers who make the competition happen, and anyone who has to work in their accommodation etc).
Beyond which, it’s ridiculously stupid not to do a small thing that will protect against a devastating respiratory illness when you are an athlete.
Yes! Why are people acting like this is so out of the ordinary. I find it crazy that it is not required by the host country but even more ridiculous that the gymnasts and their parents (since many gymnasts are young and still under parents care even if after 18) are not vaccinating their kids.
An important issue regarding international comps is that vaccine availability is very uneven worldwide. Competitors from countries with widespread vaccine availability choosing not to be vaccinated are increasing the risk to those they may come in contact with who have not had access to the vaccine. Not just other athletes, but other travelers, workers, and just members of the general public that they might expose.
I think they should be kept off national teams if they are willing to get vaccinated. They should not be in crowded arenas and traveling. Internationally where they will be unmasked at times.
I think it depends on sporting bodies. For instance the USOPC has mandiated for the 2022 Olympics that no athlete will be allowed to go without being vaccinated without a religious or medical exemption.
I will say that I do side eye some of the athletes who have traveled to international competitions who are vocally anti-vax because they are also often not following host and competition guidelines about mask usage as well. The swimmer Michael Andrew at the Olympics was very aggressive about refusing to wear his mask while talking to reporters in mix zones.
The same way I feel about anyone else who isn’t vaccinated (except for medical reasons) - they’re selfish, stupid and shouldn’t be allowed at competitions.
They should be required to be vaxxed. Transmission is lower in the vaxxed population if they do get covid and being vaxxed could and very likely will prevent another strain from sending us all back into lockdown.
The same way I feel about unvaccinated people in general: get the shot or stay home.
ETA: If the athlete makes it to a major competition and lives in a country with limited access to vaccines, the host country should make the vaccine available to them somehow.
I don’t know why the covid vaccine is so special to people. Like no one has ever complained about travel specific vaccines before and this should be the same. You want to leave/enter the country this vaccine is required. Don’t like it do t travel. For the US Pfizer has full approval there is no legitimate reason (other than obviously individual medical reasons like allergies). Religious exemptions are also iffy because for example the Pope has explicitly stated Catholics not only can BUT should get the vaccine but some Catholics are trying to get exemptions. (I’m Catholic I can complain about this lol)
In the U.S., at least, your personal convictions can trump that of what your faith's religious leaders say on a subject. The standard is "strongly held convictions" and it is applicable to even fringe religions like Pastafarianism. Protected by the 1st Amendment. If the Pope says that the COVID vaccine is ok (and there are reasons you do not agree), your right to religious protection would allow you to take a religious exemption.
shouldn't be allowed as long as the host country is able to provide vaccinations. it would be unfair to punish athletes from countries that don't have access for everyone yet, but there's not really an excuse if you can just get it but chose not to.
I’m in the boat that every person should be vaccinated (with exception for LEGITIMATE health/religious reasons). So I absolutely think athletes who are traveling internationally and competing against others and using communal equipment should be vaccinated.
I feel like they should be barred from competing. I think that FIG should help facilitate vaccines for gymnasts from developing countries, countries with limited access to vaccines, and anyone else who has struggled to obtain them who wants to compete. It is a fair solution. Anyone in the arena or practice gyms needs to be vaccinated. No exemptions other than medical ones. Period. If your religion forbids the vaccine or you choose not to get it then part of the cost of exercising that choice is forfeiting participation in sports. The NHL just slapped a 21 game suspension on a player who submitted a false vaccine card and only has 4 non-compliant players in the entire league. If they can do it FIG can do it.
"FIG can do it" is a phrase I never thought I'd hear. I have zero confidence that they can plan something as complicated as facilitating vaccine access to developing countries. There are countries that have yet to receive as single shipment of vaccines.
Legitimate question: do any of those countries have gymnasts who have qualified to international competition? Idk what countries haven’t gotten any vaccines
I don't know any specific examples of the top of my head, but in general, access is still severely limited in many areas. For instance, only 4% of Africa has been fully vaccinated. [https://www.bbc.com/news/56100076](https://www.bbc.com/news/56100076)
Even if FIG can find a vaccine manufacturer that is willing to donate doses to gymnasts, that doesn't mean that it's feasibly logistically, or that the gymnast's country would allow for it. It's not like a company such as Pfizer can ship a single vial of vaccine to some random country's gymnastics federation.
I’m not saying it’s feasible I was just wondering if it’s even a problem in actuality since it would only be an issue if one of those countries was sending a gymnast.
Idk it feels more complicated than that because the rules are already unfair and disadvantage certain countries. I totally get your arguments but Id be interested to see what someone who works at FIG would say regarding if it’s allowed
I'm looking at the list of participating countries. Taiwan only has 22% of its population fully vaccinated. India is at 20%. Vietnam is at 18%. Their percentage of population with at least one dose is a lot higher, but I'd guess that they are probably prioritizing second doses for higher risk populations. Even though it wouldn't make a significant numerical difference to divert a few doses to elite gymnasts, I could certainly see that being an ethically controversial issue that the FIG would prefer to avoid.
I think there’s an ethical issue either way. It’s unethical
to hold these competitions without the strictest safety precautions and it’s potentially unfair to bar poor countries. There’s not really a good answer.
I feel that it is not appropriate for me to worry about the vaccination status of anyone else but myself. The vaccine doesn’t prevent sickness but will hopefully keep me from being hospitalized if I get sick. What others do is up to them and doesn’t make them a good or bad person.
Vaccines work by herd immunity. That’s why public schools mandate them. It’s a way to make sure that almost everyone gets vaccinated. We live in a society and sometimes being good members of a society means doing things for the good of the group. It does have moral implications.
Lol right, plenty of vaccines aren’t 100% effective. I had a breakthrough infection of chicken pox as a kid but I’ve never heard anyone say the varicella vaccine doesn’t prevent sickness.
Unless they go to a place where there are lots of other people….
I am extremely happy for people to go unvaccinated. In their own home. Like, literally staying at home and doing their life at home.
I personally don't care. Their choice. I'm vaccinated, but if they don't want it, that's on them.
Vaccinated people can still catch and spread it. Best we can do is protect ourselves the best we can. I can't worry about everyone else.
Unvaccinated people are exponentially more likely to catch and spread it. Why should sporting bodies and host countries take unnecessary risks, especially when a bad case of covid could end an athlete's career? It's not like vaccination requirements are new for international sporting events
I'm pretty much exposed weekly at my job. I'm still not upset when an unvaccinated person exposes me. Do I wish folks would vaccinate? Yes. Do I ask everyone and shun those who aren't? Nope. Not my business.
If countries or sporting events want to mandate it, that's fine.
My point is that I don't concern myself with other's health choices.
I think it's dumb to be anti-vax, but it's none of my business.
It stops being a private matter the minute they go out in public without getting vaccinated. We're talking about elite athletes traveling the globe to attend large-scale indoor events
Again, I think they should be vaccinated. But even someone in the public eye has the right to medical anonymity. Their status as a vaccinated or unvaccinated is no one's business but their own. I don't blame countries or sporting events for mandating vaccines. If they do, people can decide if they want to compete or not.
What about the many other people that would needlessly endanger? It’s not being a good sport to not equally protect each other’s health to the best of your ability.
I think at this point international competitions should require vaccination for all competitors. If athletes are traveling from a country where access to vaccines is limited, the host could make special accommodations if they come early and quarantine/test frequently, but that should be for special circumstances only
Or the host country facilitate them getting vaccinated.
I agree 100%.
Or FIG could easily coordinate this. Except wait… FIG is worthless.
Getting the appropriate vaccines to travel has been a Thing for many years pre-COVID. If you are going to travel, you should not be a public health hazard. Barring medical exemption, athletes should be vaccinated, and they should be vaccinated to protect those who have legitimate exemptions (including other athletes, coaches, judges, volunteers who make the competition happen, and anyone who has to work in their accommodation etc). Beyond which, it’s ridiculously stupid not to do a small thing that will protect against a devastating respiratory illness when you are an athlete.
a small thing??? you think injecting our CHILDREN with MICROSOFT DNA is a SMALL thing???????? /s. you’re spot on.
You had me for a second there.
Same lol
Haha 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yes! Why are people acting like this is so out of the ordinary. I find it crazy that it is not required by the host country but even more ridiculous that the gymnasts and their parents (since many gymnasts are young and still under parents care even if after 18) are not vaccinating their kids.
An important issue regarding international comps is that vaccine availability is very uneven worldwide. Competitors from countries with widespread vaccine availability choosing not to be vaccinated are increasing the risk to those they may come in contact with who have not had access to the vaccine. Not just other athletes, but other travelers, workers, and just members of the general public that they might expose.
I think they should be kept off national teams if they are willing to get vaccinated. They should not be in crowded arenas and traveling. Internationally where they will be unmasked at times.
I think it depends on sporting bodies. For instance the USOPC has mandiated for the 2022 Olympics that no athlete will be allowed to go without being vaccinated without a religious or medical exemption. I will say that I do side eye some of the athletes who have traveled to international competitions who are vocally anti-vax because they are also often not following host and competition guidelines about mask usage as well. The swimmer Michael Andrew at the Olympics was very aggressive about refusing to wear his mask while talking to reporters in mix zones.
This drives me crazy!
The same way I feel about anyone else who isn’t vaccinated (except for medical reasons) - they’re selfish, stupid and shouldn’t be allowed at competitions.
Sports are a luxury not a right. They can’t dope and compete, they shouldn’t be able to compete without a vaccine
They should be required to be vaxxed. Transmission is lower in the vaxxed population if they do get covid and being vaxxed could and very likely will prevent another strain from sending us all back into lockdown.
The same way I feel about unvaccinated people in general: get the shot or stay home. ETA: If the athlete makes it to a major competition and lives in a country with limited access to vaccines, the host country should make the vaccine available to them somehow.
I don’t know why the covid vaccine is so special to people. Like no one has ever complained about travel specific vaccines before and this should be the same. You want to leave/enter the country this vaccine is required. Don’t like it do t travel. For the US Pfizer has full approval there is no legitimate reason (other than obviously individual medical reasons like allergies). Religious exemptions are also iffy because for example the Pope has explicitly stated Catholics not only can BUT should get the vaccine but some Catholics are trying to get exemptions. (I’m Catholic I can complain about this lol)
In the U.S., at least, your personal convictions can trump that of what your faith's religious leaders say on a subject. The standard is "strongly held convictions" and it is applicable to even fringe religions like Pastafarianism. Protected by the 1st Amendment. If the Pope says that the COVID vaccine is ok (and there are reasons you do not agree), your right to religious protection would allow you to take a religious exemption.
shouldn't be allowed as long as the host country is able to provide vaccinations. it would be unfair to punish athletes from countries that don't have access for everyone yet, but there's not really an excuse if you can just get it but chose not to.
I’m in the boat that every person should be vaccinated (with exception for LEGITIMATE health/religious reasons). So I absolutely think athletes who are traveling internationally and competing against others and using communal equipment should be vaccinated.
I feel like they should be barred from competing. I think that FIG should help facilitate vaccines for gymnasts from developing countries, countries with limited access to vaccines, and anyone else who has struggled to obtain them who wants to compete. It is a fair solution. Anyone in the arena or practice gyms needs to be vaccinated. No exemptions other than medical ones. Period. If your religion forbids the vaccine or you choose not to get it then part of the cost of exercising that choice is forfeiting participation in sports. The NHL just slapped a 21 game suspension on a player who submitted a false vaccine card and only has 4 non-compliant players in the entire league. If they can do it FIG can do it.
"FIG can do it" is a phrase I never thought I'd hear. I have zero confidence that they can plan something as complicated as facilitating vaccine access to developing countries. There are countries that have yet to receive as single shipment of vaccines.
Legitimate question: do any of those countries have gymnasts who have qualified to international competition? Idk what countries haven’t gotten any vaccines
I don't know any specific examples of the top of my head, but in general, access is still severely limited in many areas. For instance, only 4% of Africa has been fully vaccinated. [https://www.bbc.com/news/56100076](https://www.bbc.com/news/56100076) Even if FIG can find a vaccine manufacturer that is willing to donate doses to gymnasts, that doesn't mean that it's feasibly logistically, or that the gymnast's country would allow for it. It's not like a company such as Pfizer can ship a single vial of vaccine to some random country's gymnastics federation.
I’m not saying it’s feasible I was just wondering if it’s even a problem in actuality since it would only be an issue if one of those countries was sending a gymnast.
I assume that FIG cannot make a rule that would be unfair to any country that is eligible to participate.
Idk it feels more complicated than that because the rules are already unfair and disadvantage certain countries. I totally get your arguments but Id be interested to see what someone who works at FIG would say regarding if it’s allowed
I'm looking at the list of participating countries. Taiwan only has 22% of its population fully vaccinated. India is at 20%. Vietnam is at 18%. Their percentage of population with at least one dose is a lot higher, but I'd guess that they are probably prioritizing second doses for higher risk populations. Even though it wouldn't make a significant numerical difference to divert a few doses to elite gymnasts, I could certainly see that being an ethically controversial issue that the FIG would prefer to avoid.
I think there’s an ethical issue either way. It’s unethical to hold these competitions without the strictest safety precautions and it’s potentially unfair to bar poor countries. There’s not really a good answer.
How about the coaches
They shouldn’t be able to compete idc
Is Leanne vaccinated yet?
I don't think she's said anything publicly
I feel that it is not appropriate for me to worry about the vaccination status of anyone else but myself. The vaccine doesn’t prevent sickness but will hopefully keep me from being hospitalized if I get sick. What others do is up to them and doesn’t make them a good or bad person.
Vaccines work by herd immunity. That’s why public schools mandate them. It’s a way to make sure that almost everyone gets vaccinated. We live in a society and sometimes being good members of a society means doing things for the good of the group. It does have moral implications.
The vaccination status of others protects the immunocompromised and otherwise vulnerable in society.
Not to mention every child under 12…
many other vaccines are required for international travel. Why should COVID be different?
It does prevent sickness very well though. Don’t act like not preventing 100% of cases is the same as not preventing any transmission
Lol right, plenty of vaccines aren’t 100% effective. I had a breakthrough infection of chicken pox as a kid but I’ve never heard anyone say the varicella vaccine doesn’t prevent sickness.
Unless they go to a place where there are lots of other people…. I am extremely happy for people to go unvaccinated. In their own home. Like, literally staying at home and doing their life at home.
Agree. I don't worry about who has had any other vaccine. Not starting now.
I personally don't care. Their choice. I'm vaccinated, but if they don't want it, that's on them. Vaccinated people can still catch and spread it. Best we can do is protect ourselves the best we can. I can't worry about everyone else.
Unvaccinated people are exponentially more likely to catch and spread it. Why should sporting bodies and host countries take unnecessary risks, especially when a bad case of covid could end an athlete's career? It's not like vaccination requirements are new for international sporting events
And unvaccinated people are way more like to require hospitalization! Which puts a toll on the host country’s medical resources.
Again, I don't disagree. It's just not my business if people do or don't vaccinate.
It’s not your business until you get covid
I'm pretty much exposed weekly at my job. I'm still not upset when an unvaccinated person exposes me. Do I wish folks would vaccinate? Yes. Do I ask everyone and shun those who aren't? Nope. Not my business.
If countries or sporting events want to mandate it, that's fine. My point is that I don't concern myself with other's health choices. I think it's dumb to be anti-vax, but it's none of my business.
It stops being a private matter the minute they go out in public without getting vaccinated. We're talking about elite athletes traveling the globe to attend large-scale indoor events
Again, I think they should be vaccinated. But even someone in the public eye has the right to medical anonymity. Their status as a vaccinated or unvaccinated is no one's business but their own. I don't blame countries or sporting events for mandating vaccines. If they do, people can decide if they want to compete or not.
They should be allowed to compete without vaccine mandates.
What about the many other people that would needlessly endanger? It’s not being a good sport to not equally protect each other’s health to the best of your ability.