Republicans will do anything to further their agenda, even bully the Special Olympics. The state of Florida threatened the Special Olympics with $27.5 million worth of fines due to a COVID-19 vaccine requirement it had in place for participants of its games scheduled in Orlando this weekend, ABC News reported. As a result, the Special Olympics lifted its vaccine mandate.
According to its website, the Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. ABC News reporter Jay O’Brien was the first to break the news of the state’s intention to fine the organization via Twitter Friday.
The state argued that the Special Olympics vaccine rule was against the law, since it disqualified Special Olympics athletes from competing based on their vaccine status. A letter tweeted by O’Brien from the state Department of Health detailed this argument, noting that the organization was in violation of Florida law by requiring proof of vaccination from more than 5,000 individuals. The letter was issued to the Special Olympics Thursday.
It cited Sec. 381.00316(1) of the Florida statute noting that a business or charitable “entity may not require patrons or customers to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or postinfection recovery to gain access to, entry upon, or service from the business operations in this state.” The fine per person under this statute is $5,000.
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It follows legislation DeSantis signed in November that banned vaccine mandates for the state's governmental, educational, and private entities.
Instead of moving its games elsewhere, most likely due to lack of time, the organization succumbed to Florida’s threats and announced that it would be lifting its vaccine requirement. The games are scheduled to run from June 5 to June 12.
“We don’t want to fight. We want to play,” the Special Olympics said on Twitter.
In a statement on its website, the Special Olympics said people who were registered but unable to participate because of the mandate can now attend.
Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the issue during a news conference on Friday, claiming it would benefit the athletes participating. He failed to note that many early COVID-19 deaths were connected to those with Down syndrome. Studies last year found that adults with Down syndrome are three times more likely to die of coronavirus.
"This will be a relief to a lot of the athletes," DeSantis told reporters Friday. "There's a significant number of them who were in limbo up until this week."
“In Florida, we want all of them to be able to compete. We do not think it's fair or just to be marginalizing some of these athletes based on a decision that has no bearing on their ability to compete with honor or integrity,” DeSantis said.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the move to fine the Special Olympics comes the same week DeSantis vetoed $35 million in funding for a spring training facility for the Tampa Bay Rays. Many are connecting the rejection to the organization recently speaking out against gun violence following an increase in mass shootings across the country, including tragic incidents in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas
Many are also criticizing the Special Olympics for falling victim to DeSantis’s bullying instead of canceling the event; the organization’s reasoning for continuing with the games without a vaccine requirement is unclear. One thing is for sure, though: DeSantis is sending a message that similar organizations should not consider holding future events in Florida. It seems he is willing to do anything to make sure those who do not agree with him are silenced and overruled.