Olympic organisers have insisted that the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro this August will not be affected by the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, but also warned athletes and visitors to smother themselves in mosquito repellent to minimise the risks.
At a press conference staged the day after the World Health Organisation declared that the clusters of brain-damaged babies – linked to but not proven to be caused by the Zika virus – constituted a global health emergency, the Rio 2016 organising committee said it would follow the guidelines issued by international and local authorities, but stressed this has not so far included a travel ban.
“At the moment we have a new problem and are facing this with the help of the government and the authorities. Our priority is the health of the athletes, the health of all Brazilians and protection for all those who work at the Olympics,” said spokesman Mário Andrada. “We are sure this battle can be won and will not affect the Games.”
The buildup to the event, which will start in a little over six months on 5 August, have been overshadowed by the alarming spread of the virus. Since Zika was first identified in Brazil last April an estimated 1.5 million people in the country have been infected by the mosquito-borne disease.
In four out of every five cases, there are no symptoms, but in other instances people suffer muscle aches, rashes and joint pain. More worryingly, scientists believe the epidemic is linked to a recent increase in cases of microcephaly – or abnormally small brains – in newborns.
Epidemiologists have warned that the Olympics could accelerate the spread of the disease to other countries through infections of athletes and other visitors. But the organisers played down such fears, saying the Games will be held in Brazil’s winter when the cooler, drier weather will reduce the number of mosquitoes.
To minimise the chances of the disease spreading, medical officials said extra care will be taken to identify and eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds.
“The area [near the Olympic sites] will be constantly monitored and searched for stagnant water,” said
João Granjeiro, the director of medical services for Rio 2016. He also suggested athletes in the Olympic village should shut their windows and use air conditioners. “I also recommend adequate clothing and, if necessary, mosquito repellent,” he told reporters.
However, they warned that pregnant women would still be at risk, echoing previous government advice that those carrying a child should think twice about coming.
Despite such alarms, the organisers said there was no indication that trips have been cancelled or tickets returned. Sales, though, have been unspectacular. About 74% of the targeted income from Olympic tickets has been reached. Interest in Paralympic tickets – many of which cost less than £2 – are far below expectations.
This could further hit an operating budget that has already been trimmed as a result of Brazil’s recession and the falling tax revenues of the host city. About $500m has been slashed from the initial plan to spend 7.4bn reais ($1.85bn), which has resulted, among other things, in reduced numbers of seats in the swimming and rowing venues.
But the organisers said no expense would be spared in the fight against mosquitoes. “The cost is not significant. Whatever needs to be done for the safety of the athletes and the people that work in the Games. We’ll be ready to pay that cost,” Andrada said.
President Dilma Rousseff has also committed state funds to the battle against Zika. “There will be no lack of funding,” she told congress on Tuesday, adding that the country would partner with the US to develop a vaccine.
Despite such reassurances, national teams are taking their own precautions. The British Olympic Association has been liaising with specialists at the London School of Tropical Medicine to develop bite prevention strategies. The Australian team has warned its female team members of the risks and advised everyone to wear long sleeves and trousers around stagnant water.
More test events, including gymnastics, will take place in the coming months. Some preparing for the Games have admitted the outbreak is a worry.
“I read that Zika can affect tendons and joints which would really affect the athlete. It’s a worry,” said Fernanda Decnop, a Brazilian Olympic sailor. “We can’t risk this during the Olympics, especially if it really affects the joints. That could really hurt our preparations. I put on repellant once a day before leaving the house. But if the outbreak gets worse, I’ll be using more.”
