Even with Tokyo being in a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unvaccinated Olympic swimmer Michael Andrew is refusing to wear a mask during meetings with the press.
In the Tokyo playbook of COVID-19 protocols, as stated by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee in June, athletes are not required to wear a mask during interviews.
However, every other athlete has worn their masks except for Andrew.
According to USA Today, Michael Andrew is labeled the "highest profile unvaccinated American Olympian" out of the 103 unvaccinated athletes participating in the games this year.
He refused to wear a mask when entering the mixed zone after a fifth place in the men's 200-meter on Friday morning.
Michael Andrew, the highest profile unvaccinated American Olympian, refused to wear a mask in the mixed zone. Every… https://t.co/sXaQavLCD0— Christine Brennan (@Christine Brennan) 1627613041.0
When asked why he wasn't wearing a mask, Andrew said:
"For me it's pretty hard to breathe in after kind of sacrificing my body in the water, so I feel like my health is a little more tied to being able to breathe than protecting what's coming out of my mouth."
"I think it's great that there's procedures, but at the end of the day, all of us here have been under quarantine and in the same testing protocol, so there's a level of safety (that's) comfortable when we're racing."
He was then asked again why he refused to wear a mask, but his reply changed.
"No reason. I'll throw it on when I'm done here, but to speak, it's difficult, probably people can't hear me."
Earlier in July, Andrew said to the media he was unsure of how his body would react to the vaccine and he didn't want to interrupt his training for the games. Though, he also said he doesn't plan on getting it in the "distant" future either.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is reviewing Andrew's refusal to wear a mask.
They sent this comment to USA Today after seeing their tweet:
"Not wearing a mask is a violation of the COVID mitigation protocols put in place by both the USOPC and TOCOG (the Tokyo Olympic organizers)—protocols we have been adamant in following as a delegation."
"We are currently reviewing this matter with the National Governing Body and will take action as needed."
However, the USOPC then backtracked saying Andrew "has been reminded of the Games policy and established COVID mitigation protocols" but will not be required to wear a mask during interviews.
Though the USOPC didn't have much else to say, Twitter sure had a lot of comments.
@cbrennansports *squints* he also refused to wear a medal… Oh wait…— ✨JoChi is an OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST!✨ (@✨JoChi is an OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST!✨) 1627613356.0
@EyeAmLexi @cbrennansports https://t.co/Ybhk16lJ06— Tom Patterson (@Tom Patterson) 1627613564.0
@cbrennansports Some people just beg for COVID to come get them. He deserves whatever happens, but the people aroun… https://t.co/nZkRX6hURr— Pam (@Pam) 1627615527.0
@cbrennansports where is the outrage and criticism here. He should not have been allowed to compete once he refused to follow thew rules.— DJD (@DJD) 1627613945.0
@cbrennansports He should not be allowed to compete until he follows the health protocols— Kyle Swanson MD (@Kyle Swanson MD) 1627622870.0
@cbrennansports Cool so I hate this man I've never heard of before, that's fun— m!a j merr!ll (@m!a j merr!ll) 1627613389.0
@cbrennansports He shouldn’t be in Tokyo— SUE HALL🐾🐾🇨🇦🥌⛳️ (@SUE HALL🐾🐾🇨🇦🥌⛳️) 1627613504.0
@cbrennansports will he be fined for not following safety protocols and putting others at risk because it is your r… https://t.co/BlpqeySV40— Santania Alington (@Santania Alington) 1627615283.0
@cbrennansports @brikeilarcnn Refused the vaccine, refused to swim the last 50m 🤗— Autumn H-B (@Autumn H-B) 1627631886.0
@cbrennansports @brikeilarcnn He likely won’t quarantine when he returns either.— Jill I Dippman, BA 🏡😷💉💉 (@Jill I Dippman, BA 🏡😷💉💉) 1627632557.0
@cbrennansports @brikeilarcnn Nothing screams I’m a massive as*hole like being the highest profile unvaccinated. He… https://t.co/fxRnAfQYLR— InvisiBelle (@InvisiBelle) 1627633156.0
It seems there is no end to controversy over the Tokyo Olympics.