With the Olympics just around the corner, the world should be filled with competitive spirit. Instead, the talk surrounding the upcoming events in Rio is about the Zika virus. This virus is striking fear into athletes around the world.The Zika virus doesn't pose a huge threat to the person who contracts it. The symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Symptoms rarely last more than a week. The threat that it does pose is towards women and their future children.
Zika has already caused numerous birth defects in newborns whose mothers have the virus. The virus is passed through the blood, and originally it was contracted through mosquito bites. However, most recently it was contracted through a needle poke. It can be passed through sexual intercourse, as well. The possible effects and general lack of information surrounding the virus, coupled with no known cure or medicine has cause uncertainty among the world's most gifted athletes.
Pau Gasol, the center for the Chicago Bulls and top player on Spain's national team, says that he is seriously contemplating skipping the Olympics. Furthermore, he mentioned that other players from Spain may also decline to participate. The main reason he cited was that many players are wanting to start families and don't want to run a higher risk of birth defects.
This is a huge blow not only to the Olympics in general but also to Spain. Gasol has been a key participant in Spain winning back-to-back silver medals at the 2008 and 2012 games. They have been the only team that has really given the United States a run for the gold.
Australia is facing a similar situation with their star player and Golden State center, Andrew Bogut. Although he has stated that he is committed to playing, he is still looking at research and news as it becomes available. Bogut has even joked that he may wear a hazmat suit just to be safe.
The worry extends beyond the basketball court onto the golf links. Rory McIlroy, one of the top golfers in the world, is also having his own questions about the Zika situation. He also still is planning to attend but has not given up on learning what the risks are.
These are just profiles based upon some of the top tier athletes in the game, there is no telling exactly how many athletes are deciding not to participate or at least thinking about it based on the outbreak.
One thing though is for sure, if more athletes continue to stay away, the face of the Olympics will be severely changed this year.
