The coach of Jessica Ennis-Hill wants the British Olympic Association to consider moving its £1.6M ($2.3M) preparation camp "to a zika virus-free zone outside Brazil," according to Rick Broadbent of the LONDON TIMES. Toni Minichiello added that "he would put no pressure on the Olympic heptathlon champion to defend her title in Rio de Janeiro." He said, "Coaches have a duty of care and I certainly would not be encouraging an athlete to go anywhere that could have long-term effects. We should be looking at finding a camp that minimizes the risk." Minichiello said that he would be speaking to British Athletics Performance Dir Neil Black "about the possibility of a switch from Belo Horizonte." The municipality declared a state of emergency in December because of an "infestation of mosquitoes transmitting zika and dengue viruses." Belo Horizonte will be Team GB’s "largest preparation camp to date and had been picked because of its facilities and location." A BOA representative said, "Our plan remains unchanged and on course for both the preparation camp and the Games." The BOA issued a note stating that "mosquito-bite prevention strategies are key." Women intending to become pregnant have been told "to discuss travel plans with their health care providers." Given that the bulk of the women competing at the Olympics will be aged between 20 and 35, "the vagueness of that advice has caused concern" (LONDON TIMES, 2/10).
NO THREAT: REUTERS' Thorsten Severin reported Germany Olympic Sports Confederation leading doctor Bernd Wolfarth said that the spread of the Zika virus in Brazil "needs to be monitored but is not a threat to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics." Wolfarth said that "it was up to the athletes themselves whether they attended." He said, "Apart from the fact athletes decide for themselves and freely whether they will compete or not, one must now follow the development (of the virus) very carefully" (REUTERS, 2/10).
