Zika not a concern for American Gatlin

ROME: Justin Gatlin has insisted he holds no fears over the Zika virus as he heads to Rio for a street 100m race on Sunday, adamant that he would be back for the Olympics no matter what.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has ruled out any change in the timing or location of the Olympic Games, shunning a call by doctors and scientists to shift the event over the Zika virus.

The mosquito-borne Zika, which can also be sexually transmitted, can cause birth defects, including a devastating syndrome known as microcephaly in which babies are born with unusually small heads and brains.

Despite a number of sportspeople deciding not to take part in the Rio Games even if selected, Gatlin said he would have no hesitation.

“I guess I get my first crack at it because I now leave for Rio,” Gatlin said after edging fellow American Ameer Webb to 100m victory at Thursday’s Diamond League meeting in a season’s best 9.93 seconds.

“We don’t get a chance to do a final four or a Superbowl, the Olympics are our championships and at this point in time, if Zika is not going to kill me, I’m going to be down there.

“It’s such a mysterious disease or illness or whatever you want to call it, a lot of people don’t understand it. You’ve just got to go down there and do what you’ve got to do.

“Focus on things outside your power and you’re going to be distracted.” — AFP