The British Olympic Association has confirmed to Sailweb that Tokyo 2020 has allowed a late replacement policy for Covid-related changes post 7 July, but before individual sports’ events start.
Although this will depend on suitable replacements being available and having completed the stringent entry regulations that have been issued by the Tokyo Authorities.
For the Team GB sailing squad that would allow athlete changes upto the 20 July – racing starts on the 25 July.
And the RYA Olympic Selection Committee is on standby to meet if the situation arose, and would then decide if to select a replacement and who, that then goes to BOA for approval.
The British Sailing Team athletes are presently being tested twice a week, and the RYA are confident that they will be able to meet any measures set out by BOA / TOCOG with regard to pre-travel testing requirements.
All participants at the Games are required to take two COVID-19 tests on separate days, within 96 hours before they fly to Japan and obtain negative certificates for both. There will be a further COVID-19 test on arrival in Japan.
They will also have to have followed the ‘playbook’ rules on contact with other participants and their movements within Japan.
The British Olympic Association are currently awaiting guidance on the status of athletes being able to access the Covid-19 Vaccine.
Sir Hugh Robertson, Chair of the BOA, said: “The Government’s vaccine rollout has been excellent and, coupled with the IOC’s donation of the Pfizer vaccine for athletes, means we are hopeful of getting all athletes vaccinated before they travel to Tokyo.”
“It is important for this to happen soon, to assure our hosts in Tokyo that we are doing all we can to keep their population safe.”
And the sooner the better for the athletes.
There have been reports of adverse reaction to vaccine jabs, and there will be little time to recover to peak fitness before the Games start on the 25 July.
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