USA WILL NOT BOW TO ZIKA FEARS

Los Angeles: The United States Olympic Committee on Monday refuted an “inaccurate” report

that it had advised American athletes to reconsider competing in the Rio Games because

of Zika virus fears. “The reports that the USOC has advised US Athletes to reconsider competing in Rio due to the Zika virus are 100 percent inaccurate,” USOC spokesperson Patrick Sandusky said in a

statement. “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.” Sandusky said the USOC had held internal discussions with American sports leaders about

the potential risks that the American Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention had identified with travel to Zikainfested areas. The primarily mosquito- borne illness has surged through Latin

America. In most people it causes mild symptoms, but it has been linked to a rapid rise in the number of children born with microcephaly — abnormally

small heads and brains. In at least one instance, in Dallas, Texas, the disease may have been transmitted sexually.

Brazil, where the Rio Games begin in August, is the hardesthit country to date, and has warned pregnant women not to

travel there.