Rio Olympics: No Zika fears for top Irish women athletes

Three of Ireland's top female athletes say they have no concerns about possible infection by the mosquito-borne Zika virus in Rio.

Olympic lightweight champion Katie Taylor along with badminton's Chloe Magee and athlete Ciara Mageean, who are all participating in this summer's games will travel as long as medical opinion from the Olympic Council and their own sporting bodies tell them it is safe to do so.

Less than two weeks ago 100 scientists and experts from around the globe warned it would be unethical for the International Olympic Committee to allow the Olympics to go ahead in Rio because of the possibility of infection. They urged the United Nations World Health Organisation to postpone or delay the Games.

“It’s not something I’ve thought about at all,” said London 2012 boxing gold medallist Taylor speaking at the launch of the Irish Olympic team’s partnership with New Balance.

Health issues

“I don’t think any of the athletes are worrying about it. We’ve been getting a lot of emails and they have sat down with us. It wouldn’t put me off at all. Hopefully I won’t get bitten by mosquitoes. I trust the Olympic Council. It’s fine. It’s not as bad as people think.”

As well as the athletes, more than 500,000 tourists are expected to attend the Olympics, which take place from August 5th-21st.

The scientists cited previous sports events that were moved due to health issues including Major League Baseball for Zika and the Africa Cup of Nations for an Ebola outbreak.

A two-game baseball series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins, which was due to take place last month in Puerto Rico was changed to Miami because of player concerns over the virus.

“I think it is something everybody has been talking about but we have been well briefed by the doctors,” said Magee.

“I fully trust them that they have given us the information and I believe what they are telling us is right. They won’t let us go if it is too dangerous . . .

Taken it seriously

“I think everybody has been a little bit worried about it. They really are on the ball with it and have taken it seriously. I believe if there were any outstanding medical issues that could come from it they wouldn’t send us as a team.

“I just don’t think they would have an Olympics there if there were that many bad outcomes from this virus. I don’t think they would risk their athlete’s health.”

In April 2016 scientists confirmed Zika can cause microcephaly, where babies are born with small heads and brains as well as other foetal brain defects.

Babies whose mothers are infected with Zika run a higher risk of this occurring.

"To be honest we have had all our briefing with the medical council and we are in contact with our own sports body Athletics Ireland and they are constantly giving us updates," said Mageean.

"I am not concerning myself a huge deal with being worried about all of the hype. You take all the precautions to stay fit and healthy. Going out to Brazil, our health is out life but no I'm not all that stressed about the Zika virus.

“I’m very confident that the Olympic Council and our own sporting body won’t send their athletes where they are at risk. I place my faith in them.”