Ditch the Olympics and Zika

I've seen the Kiwi team has unveiled its flash new uniforms for the Rio Olympics in August. Well I don't think any of them should be going to it.

Haven't they seen that Rio de Janeiro is swarming with mosquitoes infested with the Zika virus? This virus has been linked to babies being born in Brazil suffering from a small brain and head shape deformity.

It has been widely reported getting a bite from a mosquito in Brazil can see a person get infected with Zika. It's expected thousands of sports athletes, teams, crews and supporters will descend on Rio and inadvertently bolster the Zika outbreak to a new high around the world.

So how do our Kiwi athletes propose they will prevent themselves from being bitten? And prevent bringing Zika back to NZ with them? Should our health service look after them if they do bring it home – since they went over there knowing the risk? Just for a sporting accolade?

Moreover, Rio de Janeiro is a city full of slums – and some have been ‘moved' or have simply vanished to make way for buildings being created for this Olympics. The same thing reportedly happened in South Africa in the FIFA world football championships, where schools got pulled down for sports.

Why do the Olympics get given to these countries struggling to support their own – let alone forking out for a world sports event that needs stadium after stadium, pool after pool. Maybe Kiwi athletes should snub this Olympics and receive a humanitarian accolade ahead of their own selfish ambitions?

K Morland, Katikati.

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1 comment

Settle down

Posted on 23-07-2016 12:42 | By astex

Firstly when Brazil was awarded the games it was in a far better financial situation than it is now. Remember that the games are awarded many years ahead and times change. Secondly, regardless of the impressions that the press give us, Zika is not new. It has been around since the 1940's. As far as precautions that the NZ team can take the answer is quite simple. It is called insect repellent. This is yet another case of the press over-reacting and the drug companies cashing in when the vaccine appears.


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