Monday, May 31, 2021
“… including death”
IOC wants to shift corona risk on to athletes
Anyone wishing to travel to the Olympic Games must sign the conditions of participation of the International Olympic Committee. These have been expanded for Tokyo 2021 – with a passage on responsibility for infections with the corona virus. There is already criticism of it.
Before participating in the Olympic Games (July 23 to August 8), the members of all delegations represented in Tokyo should sign all claims for damages in the event of an infection with COVID-19. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) included a new passage in its signature conditions for participation, which investigative reporter Hajo Seppelt posted on his Twitter channel, which, among other things, deals with the possibly fatal consequences of corona disease.
“I agree that I participate in the games at my own risk and responsibility,” it says, “including serious physical injury or even death (…) from potential health hazards such as the transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases or extreme heat conditions at the Games (including travel to / from the Games and their preparations) and that I will take all reasonable steps to protect myself from the risks associated with my participation. “
The IOC made it clear that the usual conditions for participation in the Olympic Games had been expanded to include the COVID-19 passage against the background of the current global situation in order to ensure transparency and provide optimal information. The passage in question is now standard at many large events and corresponds to applicable law.
The association Athleten Deutschland had already advised athletes in March against “signing declarations with which they exempt the organizers from any liability in the event of illness or death”. Risks could not be completely ruled out, “however, participation in the games and qualifying competitions should not be entirely at the athletes’ own risk,” states a position paper.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) announced that it would take out additional foreign health insurance and accident insurance for its team members for the first time. The focus of the planning for Tokyo is on the wellbeing and health of the athletes, which became very clear again in a worldwide switching conference of the IOC with the 206 NOKs, it said in a statement.
For the athletes in Germany, the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the NOKs and the organizers have the “duty to protect the health of the public, the athletes and the support staff”.
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