United States Olympic hopefuls said they were ready and willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as the three-day Team USA virtual media summit kicked off on Wednesday, a year after the deadly pandemic forced a delay to the 2020 Tokyo Games.

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) reiterated that it would not require athletes to get a shot to compete in Tokyo, but will encourage them to do so as Japan enters what appears to be a fourth wave of the pandemic.

Perry Baker, a 34-year-old rugby player who competed in the 2016 Rio Games, said after some initial doubts he was motivated to get the vaccine out of concern not only for others' safety but to help ensure his Olympic dreams stay on track.