Skip to content
Toggle menu
SportsTravel SportsTravel

Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events

Primary Menu
  • News
    • Hosts & Suppliers
    • Recently Awarded
    • Sports Organizations
    • Sports Venues
    • Sponsors & Media
  • IN DEPTH
    • Feature Story
    • On Assignment
    • Perspectives
    • Technology in Sports
  • Podcasts
  • Sports
    • CATEGORY
      • Amateur Sports
      • Youth Sports
      • Collegiate Sports
      • Professional Sports
      • Olympic Sports
      • Paralympic Sports
      • National Governing Body
      • Adaptive Sports
      • Sustainability
      • Water Sports
      • Winter Sports
      • Women’s Sports
    • INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Bowling
      • Cycling
      • Football
      • Golf
      • Gymnastics
      • Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Motorsports
      • Pickleball
      • Rugby
      • Running
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Swimming
      • Tennis
      • Track & Field
      • Triathlon
      • Volleyball
      • Wrestling
  • Esports
    • Esports News
    • Esports Guide
    • EsportsTravel Summit
  • Resources
    • Bid Bowl
      • Bid Bowl Listings
      • Submission Form
        • About Bid Bowl
    • Destination Spotlight
    • Destination Guides
    • Downloadable Guides
    • Venue Guides
    • Media Kit
      • Media Kit
      • 2022 Editorial Calendar
    • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • EVENTS
    • TEAMS CONFERENCE & EXPO
    • EsportsTravel Summit
    • SportsTravel Road Trip
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram


Home > Latest News > USOPC Talks Vaccine Mandate for Olympians, Salt Lake Winter Games Bid

USOPC Talks Vaccine Mandate for Olympians, Salt Lake Winter Games Bid

COVID mandate, CEO says, will be for all members of Beijing delegation

Posted On : September 24, 2021 By : Matt Traub
Sarah Hirshland

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee officially announced it will mandate full vaccination for athletes, staff and anyone using USOPC training facilities by November 1 ahead of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

USOPC Chief Executive Officer Sarah Hirshland made the announcement on Friday morning after the organization’s board meeting, two days after her letter to athletes and others was obtained by The Associated Press. The U.S. is expected to send around 300 athletes to the 2022 Games and the mandate will affect the entire USOPC delegation to Beijing. Hirshland said the decision was supported by the National Governing Body and Athlete Advisory Councils and the USOPC is conducting town hall-style discussions on how the policy will be implemented.

“We were hopeful that we would be lifting COVID restrictions in the fall, but we know this pandemic is far from over,” Hirshland said, referring to the decision as based and driven by both science and the USOPC’s medical experts.

The mandate applies to more than just the Olympic Winter Games and extends to the Paralympic Games, Pan and Parapan American Games and Youth Olympic Games. Hirshland said NGBs are independently operated organizations and will be charged with making the best decision for their organizations should they decide to make vaccination mandatory for athletes competing at their respective Olympic Trials.

The USOPC differs from other professional sports organizations such as the NFL, NHL and NBA because those leagues have to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with their respective player unions. The NHL has an agreement to allow some of its players to compete in the Olympics; NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said he expects the league to be close to 100 percent vaccinated by the time the season starts in mid-October.

The USOPC said before the Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo that out of more than 600 athletes who qualified for vaccination ahead of the Games, around 83 percent of them got their shots. Hirshland said the COVID prevalence rate for the Team USA delegation in Tokyo was one half of 1 percent.

The International Olympic Committee did not require vaccination for athletes who competed in the recent Games in Tokyo, which was held under strict health and safety protocols. The IOC’s first playbook with health-related and other guidance for the Winter Games, is due next month and it is expected that Beijing’s protocols will be — at minimum — as strict as those in Tokyo, if not stricter. USOPC Chair Susanne Lyons said “it is entirely possible” that foreign fans will be banned from attending Beijing much like in Tokyo.

With a nod to the debate that has been ongoing over whether the U.S. should send a delegation to Beijing, Hirshland said “despite the political conversations and complexities that are likely to ensue, these Games are an opportunity we want to preserve for our athletes.”

The board meeting also included a review of Team USA’s performance in Tokyo on and off the field, with Hirshland saying that more than 800 athletes have participated in the USOPC’s Athlete Marketing Program with more than $2.6 million distributed and more than 1,000 commercial deals made. Hirshland also made note of the collegiate ties to Team USA and beyond — an area that has been under stress at the collegiate levels during the pandemic — by pointing out that 75 percent of the Team USA athletes and more than of the Paralympic athletes have or will compete at college programs, which “truly are the pipeline to our future.”

Hirshland also touched on the potential for a Salt Lake City bid to host either the 2030 or 2034 Olympic Winter Games. Fraser Bullock, the chief operating officer for the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City and current president and chief executive officer of the Salt Lake City–Utah Committee for The Games, told the SportsTravel Podcast that the group is putting what he described as “polite pressure” on the USOPC and IOC with their intentions to bid for the Games. Hirshland said the USOPC has not made a determination “on a year to bid, if you will,” but are engaged with the IOC and its winter bid commission.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email
Posted in: Latest News, National Governing Body, Olympic Sports, Paralympic Sports, Sports OrganizationsTagged : Fraser Bullock,International Olympic Committee,Olympic sports,Paralympic sports,Salt Lake City,Sarah Hirshland,Susanne Lyons,United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee,USOPC

Post navigation

Rose Bowl Stadium Receives $500,000 Grant from ‘Save America’s Treasures’
Washington Capitals Announce Caesars as First-Ever Jersey Patch Partner in NHL

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

sportstravel

Football is back! #football #nfl @broncos @dallas Football is back!

#football #nfl @broncos @dallascowboys #broncos #cowboys #denvsdal #stadium #sports
@travieshu, the first openly gay @nhra driver, wil @travieshu, the first openly gay @nhra driver, will compete at the Menards NHRA Nationals, sponsored by @visittopeka. Hear his story on the SportsTravel Podcast, at sportstravelmagazine.com!

#podcast #sportspodcast #nhra #dragracing #lgbtq #lgbt
Totaling more than 250,000 square feet of column-f Totaling more than 250,000 square feet of column-free contiguous space, Exposition Center 1 and 2 at @worldequestriancenter make for the perfect flexible space for sporting events. With climate-control and on-site concessions, groups can beat the Florida heat and enjoy spectating. Both expo centers are equipped with Jumbotron screens, high-speed Wi-Fi and on-site parking, and can be transformed into a variety of configurations suitable for everything from volleyball to cheerleading.
The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a great convers The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a great conversation with legendary surfer @xococoho. We talk about this week’s U.S. Open of Surfing, the challenges she’s faced in her career and surfing’s place on the Olympic program. 

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

#surfing #podcast #podcasts #sportspodcasts #sportspodcast #sportstravel #sportstourism #worldsurfleague @wsl
The @dewtour returned to Des Moines this weekend a The @dewtour returned to Des Moines this weekend and the downtown Lauridsen Skatepark — the largest skatepark in the country. When it opened last year, it immediately hosted the tour, which served as an Olympic qualifier. This year’s event was free to the public, which came out in big numbers to see top stars compete in street and park competition in the massive venue. And incredible exposure for host @catchdesmoines along the way.

#skatepark #skateboard #dewtour @dsmskatepark #actionsports #sportsevents #sportsvenues
The @dewtour adaptive park competition was a crowd The @dewtour adaptive park competition was a crowd-pleaser with some of the best tricks and fan support of the entire weekend at @dsmskatepark in Des Moines.

#adaptivesports #adaptiveskateboarding #skatebording #dewtour @felipenunesskate @vinisardi
You saw him first at TEAMS ‘21 in Atlantic City You saw him first at TEAMS ‘21 in Atlantic City but last night, @heimana_reynolds lit up the course at the @dewtour in Des Moines! Who will be on the @teamsconference ‘22 program in Oklahoma City? Stay tuned, details coming soon!

#teams21 #skateboarding #skateboard #dewtour @playacsports @meet_ac @visitokc @northstarmeets @ntgtravel
Time sheets: If you’re an event organizer, you k Time sheets: If you’re an event organizer, you know.

Swimming at the State Games of America was held at the @wellmarkymca in downtown Des Moines and was one of the most popular of sports offered, as was evident on the wall.

#swimming #timesheets #eventorganizer #sportsevents #youthsports @catchdesmoines @iowagames
Long jump is for all ages. In fact, track and fiel Long jump is for all ages. In fact, track and field is the most participated sport at the State Games of America, with all ages represented. The oldest athlete at the games is an 88-year-old man from Iowa competing in track. The youngest is a 4-year-old, also competing in track.

#longjump #track #trackandfield #stategames #seniors #jumping @iowagames @iowastateu @discover_ames
Welcome to light saber, part fencing, part cosplay Welcome to light saber, part fencing, part cosplay, part martial arts, all fun. And featured at the State Games of America.

#lightsaber #saber @iowagames #stategames #starwars #whoooomp @discover_ames @iowastateu
Athletes from 46 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islan Athletes from 46 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada are competing this weekend at the State Games of America in Ames and Des Moines, Iowa. One highlight is getting to mark your hometown on the map.

#stategames @discover_ames @catchdesmoines @iowagames #map #sports #youthsports #amateursports #geography
Iowa is wrestling country and at the State Games o Iowa is wrestling country and at the State Games of America in Ames, wrestling is one of the most popular and passionate sports across all age groups, even those too young to get on the mat.

#wrestling #stategames @discover_ames @iowagames @iowastateu #competition
More than 16,000 athletes, officials and spectator More than 16,000 athletes, officials and spectators from 46 states are in Ames and Des Moines, Iowa, this weekend for the State Games of America, organized by the National Congress of State Games across 30 venues. SportsTravel is on hand and will share some of the action, which covers dozens of sports, including competitive yoga, light saber and more.

#stategames @catchdesmoines @discover_ames @iowastateu @iowagames #iowa #lightsaber #wrestling #yoga #track #archery #cauldron #soccer #youthsoccer
For the first time, the SportsTravel Road Trip tra For the first time, the SportsTravel Road Trip traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, in partnership with @gotolouisville and @sportsinlou. The program featured an opening night at @angelsenvy distillery, education at the @kfcyumcenter with sessions on future Olympic sports and the growth of @uslchampionship, and a game at the incredible @lynnfamilystadium between @louisvillecityfc and @phxrisingfc. It was the first time the event was held outside of its original home in Colorado Springs.

#sportstourism #louisville #sportstravel #sportsbusiness
Dodger Stadium is one of the best venues to watch Dodger Stadium is one of the best venues to watch a sporting event and the iconic stadium didn’t disappoint last night during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Gearing up for the 92nd MLB All-Star Game. There’s a large Yankees presence here, both past and present.
Last night was all about Washington Nationals supe Last night was all about Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto, who won his first MLB Home Run Derby.
MLB All-Star Weekend MLB All-Star Weekend
TEAMS Europe is a wrap! The launch of our TEAMS Co TEAMS Europe is a wrap! The launch of our TEAMS Conference in the UK at the ExCeL in London was an astounding success. And we were delighted to have Lord Sebastian Coe as our keynote on the 10-year anniversary of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Special thanks to all our speakers and the HMS Belfast for a memorable opening night. Can’t wait for the next one and for our U.S. event, October 24-27, 2022, in Oklahoma City!
The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a deep dive on The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a deep dive on the new @sports_eta State of the Industry report, detailing how fast the industry recovered in 2021. Hear from Al Kidd and Jennifer Stoll on what that recovery looked like and take away lessons from the data that you can use to advocate for the importance of the industry.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

And special thanks to @myrtlebeachconventioncenter for sponsoring this episode!

#podcast #sportspodcast #research #sports #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #economicimpact
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • NBA 2022–2023 Schedule Includes Special Games in Japan, Mexico City and Paris
  • ASM Global, Honeycomb Strategies Partner on Sustainable Venues Future
  • National Cycling League Announces Its Presence with 2023 Start Date
  • Oklahoma City Seeking Bids for New Fairgrounds Arena
  • BNP Paribas Open Partners with On Location’s Steve Furgal International Tennis Tours
Sports Travel Magazine

About Us

Since 1997, SportsTravel magazine has served the sports‐related travel and event industry. It is the only publication written and designed to serve the people who organize, manage and host sporting events of all types at all levels.

  • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • SportsTravel Foundation
  • Supplied Content
  • Privacy
  • Terms

NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA SITES

  • Northstar Meetings Group
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Meetings & Conventions Asia
  • Meetings & Conventions China
  • Successful Meetings
  • Incentive
  • Meeting News
  • Retail Travel
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • See All Northstar Brands

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Sports ETA

Destinations International
Northstar Travel Media LLC Copyright © 2022 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
scroll to top