The Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games will take place from August 5 to 21. Brazil and the Olympic committee face a difficult situation with the Zika Virus currently plaguing South America. The public relations nightmare and genuine health concerns on Brazil’s plate pose an uphill battle for the country. For instance, athletes such as Hope Solo, the goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s soccer team, said if the games were to be held today, she wouldn’t go. And in order for the Olympics to achieve the success it desires, American athletes need to participate.

The United States Olympic Committee told U.S. sports federations that athletes and staff concerned for their health over the Zika Virus should consider not going to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August. The message was delivered in a conference call involving USOC officials and leaders of U.S. sport federations in late January, according to two people who participated in the call. Federations were told that no one should go to Brazil "if they don't feel comfortable going. Bottom line," said Donald Anthony, president and board chairman of U.S. Fencing.

The USOC's briefing to sport federations is the latest sign that Olympics officials are taking the Zika threat to the games in Rio de Janeiro seriously, acknowledging that at least some athletes and support staff could face a tough decision over whether to attend. The United States won most medals at the last Olympics in London in 2012, so any disruption to its presence would be important for the Rio games.

Global health authorities suspect the mosquito-borne Zika Virus has caused a spike in Brazil of microcephaly, a birth defect marked by an abnormally small head. As a result, the World Health Organization declared an international health emergency on February 1, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising pregnant women or those who may become pregnant to avoid travel to places with Zika outbreaks.

My question is the following: Should American athletes go to Brazil this summer?