Olympics-USOPC will require COVID-19 vaccine for all US athletes at Beijing Games

FILE PHOTO: Attendees walk past an emblem of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games next to a screen showing the slogan, "Together for a shared future", following a ceremony in Beijing, China September 17, 2021. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

(Reuters) - The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee on Wednesday said all U.S. athletes hoping to compete at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Effective Nov. 1, 2021, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee will require all USOPC staff, athletes and those utilizing USOPC facilities – including the training centers – to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19," USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland wrote in a letter reviewed by Reuters.