Edit... Dina El Sheriff

The International Olympic Committee declared: "Vaccine developers Pfizer and BioNTech will donate doses to inoculate athletes and officials preparing for the Tokyo Olympics.

Dose delivery is scheduled to begin this month to give Olympic delegations time to fully inoculate with a second shot before arriving in Tokyo for the games to open on July 23.

It is considered to be the second major vaccination package for the International Olympic Committee. An agreement was announced in March between the International Olympic Committee and Chinese Olympic officials to purchase and distribute Chinese vaccines ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and next year's Beijing Winter Games.

Pfizer's new offer gives the International Olympic Committee greater coverage worldwide before Tokyo, where most nations have not yet allowed the use of Chinese vaccines in emergencies.

The President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, stated in a press release: "We invite athletes and delegations participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games to set an example and accept the vaccine wherever and whenever possible."

The donation to Pfizer followed talks between the Chairman and CEO of the company, Albert Burla, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suja.

Pfizer explained in a press release: "Following this conversation, the Japanese government held a meeting with the International Olympic Committee and now the donation plan has been implemented."

The International Olympic Committee stated: "Any vaccination programme must be carried out" in accordance with each State's vaccination guidance and in conformity with domestic regulations. "