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USOC takes steps to reassure athletes about Zika as Rio Games approach USOC takes steps to reassure athletes about Zika as Rio Games approach
(about 4 hours later)
With some five hundred elite American athletes, about half of them women, set to travel into the epicenter of the Zika virus outbreak in less than six months for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the U.S. Olympic Committee is facing a virtually unprecedented crisis: how to quell hysteria over a rapidly spreading disease that scientists still don’t fully understand, while ensuring the safety of its athletes and their families. With some 500 elite American athletes, about half of them women, set to travel to the epicenter of the Zika virus outbreak in less than six months for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the U.S. Olympic Committee is facing a virtually unprecedented crisis: how to quell hysteria over a rapidly spreading disease that scientists still don’t fully understand while ensuring the safety of its athletes and their families.
On Thursday, the USOC said it would hire a pair of infectious disease specialists to advise potential American Olympians, and that at least one of them would be a woman. The specialists will be available before the Games, and will be on-site in Rio during competition. On Thursday, the USOC said it would hire a pair of infectious disease specialists to advise potential American Olympians and that at least one of them would be a woman. The specialists will be available before the Games and will be on-site in Rio during competition.
The news, first reported by USA Today, comes just days after U.S. women’s soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo, among the most high-profile American Olympians, said she would choose not to go to Brazil if the Olympics were being held now.The news, first reported by USA Today, comes just days after U.S. women’s soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo, among the most high-profile American Olympians, said she would choose not to go to Brazil if the Olympics were being held now.
Solo reiterated her remarks after a friendly in Texas Wednesday night. [What is the Zika virus, and how does it spread?]
“All I can do is speak for myself. If the Olympics were today, I would not go,” she said. “Fortunately, the Olympics are six months away. So, I believe we have some time to get our doubts and questions answered.” Solo reiterated her remarks after a Olympic qualifying match in Frisco, Tex., on Wednesday night.
USOC CEO Scott Blackmun told the Associated Press that Solo’s earlier remarks “made us realize we need to provide concise and accurate info for our athletes.” “All I can do is speak for myself. If the Olympics were today, I would not go,” she said. “Fortunately, the Olympics are six months away. So I believe we have some time to get our doubts and questions answered.”
The World Health Organization has deemed the outbreak a “global health emergency” and has advised pregnant women to avoid travel to areas where the virus has been reported. Although the disease effects men and women, pregnant women are at particular risk because the virus has been linked to a serious birth defect, microcephaly, characterized by an abnormally small brain and head in infants. USOC Chief Executive Officer Scott Blackmun told the Associated Press that Solo’s earlier remarks “made us realize we need to provide concise and accurate info for our athletes.”
The World Health Organization has deemed the outbreak a “global health emergency” and has advised pregnant women to avoid travel to areas where the virus has been reported. Although the disease effects men and women, pregnant women are at particular risk because the virus has been linked to a serious birth defect, microcephaly, characterized by an abnormally small head and damaged brains in infants.
In a letter sent to potential Team USA athletes and posted on the USOC’s website late Wednesday, Blackmun noted the virus “is of concern to many of you.”In a letter sent to potential Team USA athletes and posted on the USOC’s website late Wednesday, Blackmun noted the virus “is of concern to many of you.”
“I want to emphasize that it is to us as well,” the letter said, “and that your well-being in Rio this summer is our highest priority.”“I want to emphasize that it is to us as well,” the letter said, “and that your well-being in Rio this summer is our highest priority.”
[Link between Zika, microcephaly still being researched]
A USOC spokesman said Thursday it would be impossible to estimate how many Team USA athletes might be pregnant during any given Olympics. However, in Blackmun’s letter Wednesday, athletes are reminded that scientists believe babies are at risk of microcephaly even if a woman becomes pregnant “within an unknown timeframe” after being infected.A USOC spokesman said Thursday it would be impossible to estimate how many Team USA athletes might be pregnant during any given Olympics. However, in Blackmun’s letter Wednesday, athletes are reminded that scientists believe babies are at risk of microcephaly even if a woman becomes pregnant “within an unknown timeframe” after being infected.
The Centers for Disease Control also reported Thursday two instances of women who had traveled abroad to Zika-infected areas suffering miscarriages that were believed to be linked to the virus. Scientists believe the disease can also be transmitted to women by male sexual partners who have been infected. There is currently no vaccine for Zika. The Centers for Disease Control also reported Thursday two instances of women who had traveled abroad to Zika-infected areas suffering miscarriages that were believed to be linked to the virus. Scientists believe the disease also can be transmitted to women by male sexual partners who have been infected. There is no vaccine for Zika.
The International Olympic Committee has not considered postponing or moving the Olympics, which begin with the Opening Ceremonies on Aug. 5, according to an interview IOC medical director Dr. Richard Budgett gave to Associated Press on Thursday. The International Olympic Committee has not considered postponing or moving the Olympics, which begin with the Opening Ceremonies on Aug. 5, according to an interview IOC medical director Richard Budgett gave to the Associated Press on Thursday.
“Everything that can be done is being done,” Padgett told the AP. “Our priority is to protect the health of the athletes. The IOC absolutely is not complacent. We do take this very seriously.”“Everything that can be done is being done,” Padgett told the AP. “Our priority is to protect the health of the athletes. The IOC absolutely is not complacent. We do take this very seriously.”