News

Team USA Swimmer Michael Andrew Reveals Decision To Remain Unvaccinated

Michael Andrew is set to compete in arguably the most prestigious athletic event in the world: the Olympics. Andrew will head to Tokyo to swim for the United States, competing in the 50-meter freestyle, the 100-meter breaststroke and the 200-meter individual medley. Interestingly, Andrew will travel to Japan for the games unvaccinated, opting not to receive the jab for COVID-19.

Andrew attributed his decision to not get vaccinated to not wanting any foreign substance in his body this close to the games. “It was kind of a last moment. I didn’t want to put anything in my body that I didn’t know how I would potentially react to. As an athlete on the elite level, everything we do is very calculated,” Andrew said. “I didn’t want to risk any days out, because there are periods where, if you take the vaccine, you have to deal with some days off.”

Dave Durden, the head coach for the U.S. Olympic swim team, opted to not comment on the matter. Instead, Durden reiterated the safety procedures in place for all American Olympians, not just Andrew specifically.

The news of Andrew not receiving a vaccine came on the same day Japan declared a new state of emergency over COVID-19 spikes.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Andrew has long doubted the COVID-19 vaccine’s efficacy. In a podcast earlier this calendar year, Andrew stated, “Just because everyone’s heading in one direction, why do we have to follow that direction?” Andrew followed that up with more comments recently on the matter. “Going into Tokyo, the same thing, with testing every day. So we feel very safe and protected, knowing that we’re minimizing risk as much as possible. But personally, I have not had the vaccine yet and don’t plan on it in the distant future.”

David Metzger

Recent Posts

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

9 hours ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

1 day ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

1 day ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago