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Number Of Americans Set To Attend Rio Games Plummets Over Concerns Of Zika, Other Issues

The Rio Games are still more than a month away, but the number of Americans "expected to attend has plummeted over concerns about Brazil's insecurity, political instability and the ever-spreading Zika virus," according to Alan Gomez of USA TODAY. Original estimates had about 200,000 Americans "expected to attend the Rio Games, but a senior U.S. official said that number is now closer to 100,000." Security contractors and U.S. companies said that "many people just don't feel comfortable spending weeks in Brazil." Boston-based Global Rescue CEO Dan Richards, whose firm has provided security and logistics for Americans in previous Olympics, said, "The majority of our members decided to skip the Games and not go." An official with Coca-Cola, one of the main sponsors of the Olympics, said that they are "closely following guidance" from the WHO and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding Zika. Airbnb, an official supplier of the Games, "added a page to its website with information on Zika with links to travel warnings and information on the virus." GE Dir of Olympic Marketing & Sports Programs Chris Katsuleres said that the company "expects to have about 100 people working in Rio and another 800 customers and staff attending the events." While Katsuleres is "getting more Zika-related questions this time around, he said he's confident Rio will pull it off" (USA TODAY, 6/23).

KEEP IT MOVING: In DC, Tom Howell Jr. in a front-page piece notes Olympic officials are "forging ahead" with the Games, "betting the Brazilian winter and months of prep work will triumph over disease-carrying insects and critics who say the event could scatter the virus across the globe." Team USA will "house athletes and staff in air-conditioned quarters and distribute Off! bugspray and long sleeves and pants as part of the delegation's casual wear so they can avoid mosquito bites." It also will "hand out condoms since the disease can be sexually transmitted for at least six months." To "protect those who do travel, the IOC has said venues will be inspected daily for puddles of stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 6/23).

IN THE ROUGH: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Brian Costa notes golf is returning to the Games for the first time in 112 years, but it is "getting increasingly difficult to tell how many of the world's top players will be there." Just a few weeks after "declaring himself 'ready to play,'" world No. 4 Rory McIlroy yesterday released a statement "saying that he has decided not to travel to Rio." Hours later, top-ranked Jason Day of Australia said that he "couldn't yet commit to the men's tournament." Day's comments came just days after Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler, "both of whom were presumed to be all-in for Rio, hedged on their plans." Masters champion and England's highest-ranked golfer, Danny Willett, said, "It's still up in the air." Only four of the top 10 players in the world "have been unequivocal about their intent to play: Americans Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson, Sweden's Henrik Stenson and England's Justin Rose" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/23). Meanwhile, McIlroy's potential replacement, Graeme McDowell, today released a statement saying that he would "not take McIlroy's place with the impending birth of his second child" (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/23). GolfDigest.com’s Geoff Shackelford said of McIlroy withdrawing from the Olympics, “It’s such a disappointment because he’s such a global figure and he has the power to influence so many people and he cherishes that role and not many players do on the level that Rory does” (“Golf Central,” Golf Channel, 6/23). The Washington Post’s Kevin Blackistone said, “This is a case of the guy saying, ‘You know what? This Olympic golf thing’s not that big of a deal. I don’t want to go over there anyways, so I’ll use this Zika thing as an excuse.” The L.A. Times’ Bill Plaschke: “Golfers -- they hate uncertainty and all of them have no idea what’s going to happen down there. ... They are used to their luxury, they don’t think they are going to get luxury down there. They are not going. It’s got nothing to do with Zika” (“Around the Horn,” ESPN, 6/22).

DROPPED SHOT: In N.Y., Karen Crouse in a front-page piece writes the Games "may end up known more for the athletes who are not there than the ones who are." McIlroy's decision "is a major blow." Meanwhile, none of the world's top female golfers "have backed out of the Olympics, even though they ostensibly face a greater health risk." The women, who "do not have as high a profile as the men, are perhaps more determined to compete in the Olympics because winning a medal carries greater value for them in terms of increasing their exposure" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/23). Golf HOFer Greg Norman in an op-ed for NEWSWEEK writes under the header, "Zika Is Jeopardizing The Future Of Olympic Golf." For those "quick to criticize Rory and other young players, they need to take a closer look at the conditions that these golfers are facing." No other sport in the Olympics "has a greater risk for Zika than golf." Norman: "I sympathize with Rory. ... If I was in their position -- married or engaged with no children or growing my family -- it wouldn't be a risk I would be willing to take either." This is "completely beyond the IOC's control" (NEWSWEEK.com, 6/23). ESPN's Jason Sobel tweeted, "Like other players, Rory withdraws over Zika concerns. And like other players, unstable host country and condensed golf schedule don't help." The AP's Doug Ferguson: "Concern about golf staying in Olympics was participation. Where golf is off the hook is the blame will be Rio/Zika, not the sport." The Wall Street Journal's Tom Perrotta: "I'm not going to knock being worried about zika, but golfers can play in pants and long sleeves?" London Daily Mail's Mike Dickson: "Only 10 out of top 25 turned up when tennis returned in 1988."

NOT FOR US: Canadian Olympic Committee Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert McCormack said that two support staff members with the Canadian Olympic team will "not be travelling" to Rio amid worries over Zika. McCormack added that both staff members "are planning for families." The GLOBE & MAIL's Alex Migdal notes COC officials "maintain that the risk of Zika infection is low among its 370 delegates, a mix that includes athletes, coaches and medical staff" (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/23).

FRIENDLY ADVICE: Comedy Central's Trevor Noah asked at what point would Rio "admit that this whole Olympics thing isn't a good idea?" Noah: "Rio right now is like that one friend who you hang out with and no matter how bad things get for them, they just refuse to call it quits. They’re partying, it’s late, they lost their wallet, dropped their phone in the toilet ... and still Rio is going, ‘Yo, where we heading next?'" Noah added, "At the end of the day people, hosting the Olympics is way too much work. You’re never fully prepared. You spend a fortune to buy all the stuff you’ll only use for a month. Everyone has opinions on how are you’re supposed to be doing it" ("The Daily Show With Trevor Noah," Comedy Central, 6/22). 

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