Finally, Zika virus has started taking a toll on Rio Olympics which are just days away. Reports are emerging of some stars and visitors planning to pull out of the event over fears about the mosquito-borne virus, which is linked to brain deformities in newborn babies.
World number eight Tomas Berdych has announced his decision not to attend the next month’s Games. Berdych said on Twitter: “It is purely my personal decision but I still feel a need to give at least one of the serious reasons leading to this step to my supporters and fans.” Earlier, more than 20 male players withdrew from the golf competition at Rio 2016. And in a sign that the fear of virus could be spreading to other areas, a top BBC sports correspondent told his bosses that he would not be going to Rio, thus threatening to throw into turmoil the global television channel’s coverage of the great Games. Richard Conway’s decision can adversely impact the channel’s overage of the event as he is one of the corporation’s on-air stars. According to reports, a dozen more are likely to follow his lead amid fears they could catch the disease.
It’s not clear how many athletes will finally stay out of the Games, but the current trend is definitely unhealthy. While every athlete, media personality and others have the right to decide whether they should attend the Games, they must make sure that their decision is well-researched and thought out, not a result of paranoia or a reaction to fear and exaggeration. Brazilian authorities have taken all necessary measures to make Olympics Zika-free and there is no need to distrust them. Also, the Games authorities too are satisfied about the preparations as they would never undertake to do something that endangers the lives of visitors.
The Games authorities and the government must work jointly to assure everybody that they will be safe in Rio de Janeiro. The pullout of stars and other participants will defeat the very purpose of the Games. This is an event in which Brazil has invested heavily and has been preparing for years, which the world needs to appreciate through their active participation.
Brazil also faces a huge challenge of making the Rio Olympics safe for visitors in terms of security after the recent terror attacks. The Games are expected to attract as many as 500,000 foreign visitors. The government realises the enormity of the challenges it’s facing and is taking measures to make the event incident-free. More than 80,000 police and soldiers will patrol the streets of Rio for the duration of the games.
Finally, Zika virus has started taking a toll on Rio Olympics which are just days away. Reports are emerging of some stars and visitors planning to pull out of the event over fears about the mosquito-borne virus, which is linked to brain deformities in newborn babies.
World number eight Tomas Berdych has announced his decision not to attend the next month’s Games. Berdych said on Twitter: “It is purely my personal decision but I still feel a need to give at least one of the serious reasons leading to this step to my supporters and fans.” Earlier, more than 20 male players withdrew from the golf competition at Rio 2016. And in a sign that the fear of virus could be spreading to other areas, a top BBC sports correspondent told his bosses that he would not be going to Rio, thus threatening to throw into turmoil the global television channel’s coverage of the great Games. Richard Conway’s decision can adversely impact the channel’s overage of the event as he is one of the corporation’s on-air stars. According to reports, a dozen more are likely to follow his lead amid fears they could catch the disease.
It’s not clear how many athletes will finally stay out of the Games, but the current trend is definitely unhealthy. While every athlete, media personality and others have the right to decide whether they should attend the Games, they must make sure that their decision is well-researched and thought out, not a result of paranoia or a reaction to fear and exaggeration. Brazilian authorities have taken all necessary measures to make Olympics Zika-free and there is no need to distrust them. Also, the Games authorities too are satisfied about the preparations as they would never undertake to do something that endangers the lives of visitors.
The Games authorities and the government must work jointly to assure everybody that they will be safe in Rio de Janeiro. The pullout of stars and other participants will defeat the very purpose of the Games. This is an event in which Brazil has invested heavily and has been preparing for years, which the world needs to appreciate through their active participation.
Brazil also faces a huge challenge of making the Rio Olympics safe for visitors in terms of security after the recent terror attacks. The Games are expected to attract as many as 500,000 foreign visitors. The government realises the enormity of the challenges it’s facing and is taking measures to make the event incident-free. More than 80,000 police and soldiers will patrol the streets of Rio for the duration of the games.
