Menu
Olympics

Australian Olympic Doctor Says Rio Water Bigger Concern Than Zika Virus

The Australian team's medical director said that "water quality will be more of a threat to the health of athletes and officials at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro" than the mosquito-borne zika virus, according to the AP. David Hughes said that cases of pregnancy aside, the zika virus "usually results in a mild infection, and 80 percent of those infected often do not get serious symptoms." Hughes said that the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay and aquatic venues for other Olympic events in August "were another matter when it comes to the threat of illness." Hughes: "If someone gets a nasty gastro-infection, vomiting and diarrhea, it's not ideal for competing in an Olympic environment." Hughes said that he had been contacted by several Australia athletes and officials in the past several days over the zika virus, "but none had indicated they would not travel to Brazil in August" (AP, 2/11).

ALLAYING FEARS: The AP's Wade & Passa reported seeking to allay fears over the zika outbreak, IOC Medical Dir Richard Budgett said that "everything that can be done is being done" to combat the virus. Budgett said that there "are no health warnings against traveling to Brazil, except for pregnant women," and stressed that "no consideration has been given to postponing or canceling the games." Budgett: "Our priority is to protect the health of the athletes. The IOC absolutely is not complacent. We do take this very seriously" (AP, 2/11). 

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2016/02/12/Olympics/Australian-Doctor.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2016/02/12/Olympics/Australian-Doctor.aspx

CLOSE