Track and Field star, Emanuel Archibald plans to take the COVID-19 jabs as soon as possible and is also advising other youths to do the same.
Archibald departs for Jamaica this weekend to compete on that circuit in an effort to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan this summer.
Despite athletes not being mandated to take the COVID-19 vaccine in order to compete at the Games, Archibald, 26, plans to be inoculated once he arrives in the ‘Land of Wood and Water’.
The national long jump record holder (8.12m) is also motivating persons to get vaccinated as soon as possible as a means to achieve herd immunity and end the pandemic that has claimed in excess of three million lives worldwide.
A native of Linden, Archibald was eager to take the vaccine prior to departure but abandoned that idea since he would not be in Guyana for the second jab.
“I will take it as soon as possible because it has been scientifically proven to be okay. “Also as a track and field athlete, we have to travel all over the world for various meets throughout the season, so it is practical for me to take it.”
Archibald is also of the opinion that athletes will soon be mandated to be vaccinated to compete and since competing is their livelihood, it would make sense for them to take the jabs.
“It is better to be safe than taking a chance on your life, also I don’t think they (meet organisers) will give us a choice. I think sports persons would be mandated to take the vaccine although I think it should be a personal choice, meet directors and other sports companies would want to ensure all athletes are safe and vaccinated.”
So far, no sport discipline has mandated that athletes looking to compete at any event be vaccinated.
Roughly 11,000 Olympic athletes are expected in Tokyo from more than 200 countries, and the International Olympic Committee’s stance on vaccines is to essentially encourage, but not a requirement for participation.
After being vaccinated, Archibald’s goal is to qualify in the men’s 100m and or the men’s long jump to clinch a berth at the games. He needs to disturb the sand in 8.22m and cross the line in 10.05s or better in the blue riband event to punch his ticket to Japan.
