Is this one less thorn for the organizers of major sporting events in France? The entry into force of the vaccination pass, Monday, January 24, has necessarily complicated the task for those who organize sports competitions, since now all athletes must be vaccinated to participate in an event on French territory. This, even if they are foreigners, as Roxana Maracineanu, the Minister for Sports, had specified a few days ago.
If the case of athletes who, like the Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, refuse the vaccine is not debated among the organizers, the case arises of foreign athletes who have received doses not authorized by France, such as Russian and Chinese vaccines. If the law is strictly applied, they are considered by France to be unvaccinated and cannot enter an establishment open to the public (ERP), and therefore in a sports hall or stadium.
Small clarification however: the government is currently working on a doctrine which might in particular authorize people vaccinated by Russian and Chinese injections, to enter an ERP for professional reasons. An authorization that interests athletes, but also diplomats, the world of culture, who need to enter an establishment open to the public for professional reasons and for a limited period.
Waiting for the opinion of the scientific council
But if the government is ready to study the subject, it is waiting, before deciding, for the opinion of the scientific council, which should position itself on the subject in the coming hours. If the latter issues a favorable opinion, athletes vaccinated with the Russian or Chinese vaccine might therefore be authorized to participate in competitions in France, under certain conditions. A health bubble, with regular tests, might for example be imposed on them. On the other hand, there is no question for the government to reconsider the situation of unvaccinated athletes: none will be authorized to compete in France, as long as the vaccination pass is in force in the ERP.
This decision on Russian and Chinese vaccines is of particular interest to the organizers of the Judo Grand Slam, on February 5 and 6 at the Accor Arena in Paris and the World Skating Championships, from March 21 to 27 in Nice. Stéphane Nomis, the president of the French Judo Federation, was moved by the fact that, without exception for the Russian vaccine, the Grand Slam plateau will be amputated by 38% of its participants, necessarily calling into question the holding of a event that can be held with a full gauge.
Last week, he had, with Marius Wizer the president of the International Judo Federation, sent a joint letter to Emmanuel Macron and Jean Castex. The government will decide in the next few hours.