Surfing great Kelly Slater has “no chance” of getting into Australia for upcoming events without being vaccinated, according to the federal government.
The Age reports Slater has been warned by federal sports minister Richard Colbeck that it will be almost impossible for him to enter Victoria or Western Australia, where upcoming World Surf League events are being held, without being vaccinated against Covid-19.
Slater and surfing world No.1 Gabriel Medina have not confirmed whether they have been vaccinated ahead of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach and Margaret River Pro, both being held in April.
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But while Medina said late last year on social media “vaccines save lives” and he would get his Covid vaccine doses “soon”, Slater has made it clear he is against the safe and effective jabs.
Defending tennis world number one Novak Djokovic, Slater bizarrely declared “maybe Stockholm Syndrome can now change its name to Melbourne/Australia syndrome” and “so much brainwashed hatred in people’s hearts regardless of vax status”.
Colbeck made it clear to The Age Slater’s chances of competing in Australia were dependent on him either getting vaccinated, or somehow showing that he medically cannot receive it.
“I reckon he knows the rules. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a surfer, or a tennis player, a tourist or anyone else, those are the rules. They apply to everyone,” Colbeck said.
“I don’t like the chances of him competing in Victoria, and I’d hate to think of what the chances were of him competing in Western Australia.”
Slater is an 11-time world champion.