Kenya could pull out of Rio Olympics over Zika concerns

The head of Kenya's Olympics committee says the country may choose not to attend the Rio Olympics as concerns over the Zika virus grow.

Kenya's David Lekuta Rudisha celebrates his win in the men's 800-meter final during the athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London. Source: AAP

Kenya could pull out of this year's Rio Olympics due to concerns over the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, the head of Kenya's Olympics committee said on Tuesday.

Kenya boasts some of the best middle and long-distance runners in the world and the East African nation topped the medals table at the 2015 World athletics championships.

"Obviously, we are not going to risk taking Kenyans there if this Zika Virus reaches epidemic levels," Kipchoge Keino told Reuters.