Kenya threatens to boycott Rio Olympics over zika virus

NOCK said Keino “may have been quoted out of context”.

The spreading Zika virus that has been linked to microcephaly in newborn babies in Brazil and other countries has raised concerns about this summer’s Olympics in Brazil, and that includes concerns from high-profile athletes.

Rio 2016 organizing committee communications director Mario Andrada speaks during a media briefing i …

It’s not unheard of for pregnant women to compete in the Olympics.

“And no one should go if they feel at all as though that that threat could impact them”, said Anthony, who praised the USOC’s handling of the outbreak so far.

Colombian health authorities recently announced that three people who had been infected with the Zika virus had died after developing the Guillain-Barre syndrome, the first time health officials had said the Zika virus could cause deaths. A possible cancellation of the Olympic Games would be something unique.

In a January 29 letter from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to national committees, the IOC’s chief doctors said they were monitoring the situation closely.

Hope Solo defends the goal during the second half of the U.S. Women’s National Team exhibition game against Brazil at CenturyLink Field, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. Carnival roars ahead in Brazil despite Zika health scare The worst health scare in recent history is not keeping Brazilians from their annual Carnival revelry, with millions of partiers swarming streets and some making fun of the mosquito that spreads Zika and other viruses.

“If I had to make the choice today, I wouldn’t go [to the Olympics] …”

Solo’s comments represent fears that could be affecting many athletes slated to compete in this year’s Summer Olympics.

Reuters reported on Monday that the U.S. Olympic Committee told U.S. sports federations in a conference call that athletes and staff concerned over the Zika virus should consider not going to the Olympic Games. Even the notoriously overzealous agency has only advised that women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant avoid travel to countries with Zika outbreaks. Keino, himself a Kenyan running great, said his office has been in touch with Olympics organisers to voice their concerns. I’m not bringing the kids, my wife is going to come down and some family. But the place we’re at right now with Olympic qualifying, we’re pretty much focused on that right now, and we’ll track it to see what’s happening.

But the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the virus is endemic across the southern and eastern United States.

BRITAIN British Olympic Association Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe said none of the country’s athletes were reluctant to go.