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IOC moves to ease concerns surrounding Zika virus

The logos of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games are pictured next to a message on a screen that reads "Message about Zika" during a media briefing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 2, 2016. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

By Kaitlyn McGrath

With the Rio Olympics just six months away, fears about the Zika outbreak have been spreading through the international sport community as they prepare for the Games taking place Aug. 5-21 in Brazil.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, the International Olympic Committee medical director said, “Everything is being done to contain and reduce this problem in the lead-up to the Games.”

Zika, a mosquito-borne virus, has been spreading across South America, and in Brazil in particular. On Feb. 1, the World Health Organization declared it an international health emergency. The virus has been linked to the birth defect known as microcephaly, which causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and could lead to developmental issues.

While the Olympics remain months away, several high-profile athletes and national governing bodies have raised concerns about the risk Zika poses. On Friday, IOC president Thomas Bach told the AP there is “no intention” for any country to pull out of the Games.

But earlier this week, the head of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya made headlines when he said that they would consider withdrawing if the virus reached epidemic levels. However, that statement was later walked back as officials said they were undecided and monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported the United States Olympic Committee told its sport federations that athletes and staff should consider skipping the Games if they felt uncomfortable going.

In a statement issued later, however, the USOC denied the report, saying that conversation pertained to employees.

“Team USA looks forward to the Games and we did not, would not and will not prevent athletes from competing for their country should they qualify,” USOC spokesperson Patrick Sandusky said.

Hope Solo, the U.S. women's national team goalkeeper, for one said this week if the Olympics were to start today, she wouldn’t go.

''Fortunately, the Olympics are six months away. So, I believe we have some time to get our doubts and questions answered,” she said in an interview.

Fellow Olympian and U.S. track star Sanya Richards-Ross, however, told TMZ Sports that despite anxieties, she wouldn’t miss the Games.

“As of right now ... no, I would not consider not going to the Olympic Games because it just means too much to me.”

In the midst of the Zika scare, the PGA Tour Latinoamerica has rearranged some tour dates in South America, rescheduling the Guatemala Open and Honduras Open for later in the spring.

As for Canada, the country’s Olympic Committee continues to monitor the situation.

In a statement, the team’s chief medical officer Robert McCormack explained the risk is graver for pregnant women.

“Most infected people will develop no symptoms and relatively mild ones. The issue is more serious for pregnant women because the virus can cause severe birth defects. Proper precautions such as wearing proper clothing, using mosquito repellent and nets are highly recommended for all travellers to Brazil. Team Canada’s medical team is monitoring all health risks in and around Rio in anticipation of the upcoming Games and is taking appropriate steps to ensure our athletes can compete without worries.”

Karina LeBlanc, former Canadian women’s national soccer team’s goalkeeper and Olympian, said it’s important for athletes to focus on their training and let the medical staff and the COC assess the risks.

“For every Olympics I’ve been in, there’s always been something in the media that could have been a distraction. But you just have to focus on what it is you’re training to do: performing for your country. You want to be the best at that and you let other people do what they need to do.”

Ahead of their Olympic qualifying match win over Guyana on Thursday, LeBlanc’s former team said they weren’t thinking about Zika, the Canadian Press reported.

"No. I haven't heard our team talk about it once, to be honest," team captain Christine Sinclair said during a news conference. "Our focus is [Thursday night] and that's pretty much where we're staying focused at. Let's qualify for the Olympics first and then we'll move on to that."