The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Zika threat isn’t enough to make Barnes avoid Rio
Some NBA players have decided not to play for the United States in the Olympics because of the Zika virus that’s stationed in Rio de Janeiro.
But that’s not the case with Harrison Barnes.
The newest member of the Dallas Mavericks, Barnes will be one of the 12 players representing the USA in the Rio Olympics. Medical officials have made the 6-foot-8 small forward aware of the health risks, thus he figures the rewards far outweigh the risks.
“Yeah, there’s some risk involved with it,” Barnes said. “They didn’t try to downplay that at all.
“But they talked about the fact that it’s winter there, there will be less mosquitoes, the fact that we’ll be as protected as possible. More than likely, if you know you’re not trying to have children the past six to eight months after you come back, there hasn’t been any cases (of Zika) that lasted longer than that.”
LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard are skipping the Rio Olympics, mainly because of their fears of contracting the Zika virus. But that doesn’t upset Barnes.
“It’s a per-basis situation,” Barnes said. “Some people have kids, or wives that are pregnant, or some people are trying to have kids.
“So it’s a different situation for everyone.”
Spieth sorry he’s out
Jordan Spieth calls his withdrawal from the Olympics “probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life.”
Spieth says he’s a huge supporter of Olympic golf and playing for the United States. But he says health concerns over the Zika virus led him to sit out the sport’s return to the games for the first time since 1904.
The four top players in the world rankings are all skipping the Rio de Janeiro Games.
Spieth was the last of the Big Four to make his decision, announcing it last week after Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy withdrew from Olympic consideration.
He says he “very much struggled” with whether to play in Rio, going “back and forth” before finally making up his mind.
Talko time
■ Comedian Argus Hamilton, on the U.S. rowing team set to wear sewage-proof suits at the Rio Olympics: “They could became standard wear for the front row when Hillary and Trump debate this fall.”
■ Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg, after a foot washed up on the Olympic beach volleyball venue in Rio de Janeiro: “And if that wasn’t bad enough, the foot tested positive for steroids.”
■ Brad Dickson of the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald, on the state of U.S. basketball: “Something is wrong when the Olympics are about to begin and our Dream Team is in Oakland.”