If any Team Fiji athlete or official contracts COVID-19 by not following health protocols during the Tokyo Olympic Games, he or she will not be covered by covered by insurance.

This was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday by Team Fiji chef de mission Patrick Bower.

“If you follow all protocols and health restrictions but still get contracted with COVID-19 then you are covered,” Bower said.

“So the insurance looks after your hospital costs and other fees.

“However, if any athlete or official does not follow the rules and contracts COVID-19, they will not be covered.”

This was the outcome of the negotiation between the Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) and the Marsh Insurance Travel executives.

The matter arose after a Marsh Insurance Travel representative told a Team Fiji meeting on March 27 that they were not covering any athlete of official who may contract COVID-19 during the Olympic Games.

Bower said with that now resolved, the insurance also covers things like injuries, sickness, luggage, death, kidnapping and so on.

He reiterated that Team Fiji athletes and officials must strictly follow all protocols.

“We are finalising things particularly we are focusing on COVID-19 to make sure we are meeting all the obligation that needs to be met,” he said.

Bower said Wayne O’Connor has been appointed as Team Fiji’s COVID-19 liaison officer.

“Actually, Wayne was one of the general managers for the team,” he said.

“Wayne was not in the list to go but Tokyo insisted that every country takes a liaison officer so he is our CLO.

“He is in close collaboration with Tokyo and their requirements so we are receiving daily and weekly updates from them.

“We have put together a document particularly in Fiji and its ongoing so what we have this week may not be the same as next week. This depends on situation that is where we are at the moment.”

Bower said O’Connor plays an important role.

“Again, he makes sure that we comply with all the health protocols from Tokyo.

“Once we get to Tokyo and we don’t comply with what they want then we will not be allowed entry.”

Airline negotiation

Bower said they are also negotiating with national airline Fiji Airways.

This is to ensure that we will not only get to Japan but with our limited budget we’re hoping of chartering an aircraft.

“Fiji Airways were happy to come onboard but negotiations are still going on and for us we want see what they can facilitate on their part.”

Edited by Osea Bola 

Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj