eFM News

The International Olympic Committee is recommending athletes and officials to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling to the Tokyo Games this summer.

IOC President Thomas Bach said on Tuesday that "participants should seek vaccination once it becomes available to the general public" in their countries as an "act of solidarity with the Japanese hosts."

But Bach added that getting the shots won't be compulsory.

His remarks came amid growing skepticism about whether the event will be held due to the ongoing pandemic and a recent resurgence of coronavirus cases in Tokyo and other major cities in Japan.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reiterated last week his resolve to hold the Games as planned.

The IOC and Tokyo organizers are set to unveil next week their playbook on how to get tens of thousands of Olympic and Paralympic athletes and others to safely enter Japan when the Olympics open in July.