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Tokyo Olympics 'Not Contingent' on COVID-19 Vaccine, Says IOC Member John Coates

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John Coates, an International Olympic Committee member who serves as the organization's coordination commission leader for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, told the Australian Associated Press that he did not believe a vaccine for COVID-19 would be needed for the Games to be held in the summer of 2021.

"The advice we're getting from WHO (World Health Organization) says we should continue to plan for this date and that is what we're doing, and that's not contingent on a vaccine," Coates said. "A vaccine would be nice. But we will just continue to be guided by WHO and the Japanese health authorities.