Tennis world number one Serena Williams admitted Saturday that the health dangers posed by the Zika virus were a concern, but said she still planned to compete in Rio.
“It’s something that’s been on my mind. I’m really just gonna have to go super protected,” said the 34-year-old American, the defending Olympic champion.
Men’s world number one Novak Djokovic said talk of moving or cancelling the Games was unrealistic.
“To cancel the Olympic Games is unthinkable, honestly. I mean, many athletes and people already planned in advance,” the Serb tennis champion said, adding however that the impact of the outbreak on local people should not be underestimated.
“How about those people living there, you know? Not talking about them too much. So I think we have to look from different perspectives in order to make a right conclusion.”
The Olympics and Paralympics, set for August 5 through September 18, “will take place during Brazil’s wintertime when there are fewer active mosquitoes and the risk of being bitten is lower,” the WHO said this month.
On Thursday, the top US public health official, Tom Frieden, said “there is no public health reason to cancel or delay the Olympic Games”.
Given the big financial investments at stake, the open letter questioned whether the UN health agency was able to give a non-biased view of the situation.
It said the world body may not be properly considering the options, which include moving the Games to a place where Zika is not present, postponing them until Zika is under control, or cancelling them.
“WHO must revisit the question of Zika and postponing and/or moving the Games. We recommend that WHO convene an independent group to advise it and the IOC in a transparent, evidence-based process in which science, public health, and the spirit of sport come first,” the letter said.
“Given the public health and ethical consequences, not doing so is irresponsible.”
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