H1N1 FLU: OLYMPIC ATHLETES TO BE VACCINATED

H1N1 FLU: OLYMPIC ATHLETES TO BE VACCINATED

(ANSA) - Rome, October 30 - The Italian team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver will be vaccinated for the H1N1 flu, Junior Health Minister Ferruccio Fazio said Friday.

''Naturally, we don't want Italy's representatives to be decimated and so we've decided to vaccinate them all,'' he said.

The Italian Olympic Committee asked for the vaccinations amid concern sports events might be more vulnerable to the new flu, which is also called Influenza A or swine flu.

Eight members of an Italian third-division soccer team came down with the flu this week.

The 21st Winter Olympics will be held February 12-28 in Vancouver with some events held in the resort town of Whistler nearby.