Zika prompts USA Swimming to move camp

USA Swimming has moved a pre-Olympic training camp from Puerto Rico to Atlanta due to concerns about the Zika virus.

Swimmers during a warm-up

USA Swimming has moved a pre-Olympic training camp from Puerto Rico due to concerns about Zika. (AAP)

Concerned about the threat of the Zika virus, USA Swimming has moved a pre-Olympic training camp from Puerto Rico to Atlanta.

Frank Busch, the national team director, sent out a letter on Thursday to all national team athletes and coaches telling them of the change.

"I think it's the prudent thing to do," Bob Bowman, who coaches 18-time gold medalist Michael Phelps, told The Associated Press.

The US team is still scheduled to hold a training camp in San Antonio from July 11-21.

After that, the team had been planning to make a stop in Puerto Rico for several more days of training before traveling on to Rio de Janeiro, where the Olympic swimming competition begins August 6.

The Australian swim team will also base its pre-Olympic camp in the US, in Auburn, Alabama.

USA Swimming's decision follows a move by Major League Baseball to shift two regular-season games out of San Juan because of players' concerns about the virus.

"The health and safety of our athletes is USA Swimming's primary priority and responsibility," said Scott Leightman, a spokesman for USA Swimming.

The Zika outbreak has been one of the major headaches facing Olympic organisers as they prepare for South America's first Olympics.

Brazilian officials insist that precautions will be taken to keep athletes safe and point to the onset of winter in Brazil as being helpful in reducing the mosquito population.


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Source: AAP



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