Zika won't impact Stosur's Olympic aim

Kenya has stepped back from a claim it may boycott the Rio Olympics over the Zika virus, and Australia's Sam Stosur's plans are unlikely to be affected.

Local workers disinfects the famous Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro

Kenya has stepped back from a claim it may boycott the Rio Olympics over the Zika virus. (AAP)

Kenya, with its stellar medal prospects for the Rio Games, caused a stir on Tuesday when the head of its Olympics committee said the team might withdraw because of Zika, but officials said later it was too soon to decide on the impact of the virus.

And the virus is unlikely to impact on the availability of Australian tennis star Sam Stosur either, with the world No.27 confirming her availability.

"It's not going to deter me from going," the US Open champion told Reuters.

"But obviously there are a lot of precautions you need to take moving forward to be there, but the Australian Olympic team are very thorough."

Australia's Olympic Committee has said no athletes have indicated they intend to withdraw, but it would "totally understand" if they did.

Similarly, New Zealand's Olympic Committee has warned athletes and officials of the risks and a committee spokesman said any competitors who decided to opt out would receive the committee's "absolute support".

The mosquito-borne virus, which is widespread in Brazil and has been linked to birth defects, has prompted concern among athletes and sports officials around the world as they prepare for the August 5-21 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) head Kipchoge Keino said on Tuesday the country would not "risk taking Kenyans there if this Zika virus reaches epidemic levels," and that he was seeking reassurance from organisers.

But NOCK played down the comments, saying the East African country was monitoring the potential health threats from the disease, which produces no symptoms in most people who are infected and relatively mild illness in those who do show symptoms, and receiving regular updates.

"It is too early to make a determination on the status of the virus during the Games time which is six months away," said NOCK's chief of mission for Rio, Stephen Soi.

NOCK said Keino "may have been quoted out of context".

Zika has spread through most of the Americas, with Brazil the most affected country.

The World Health Organization declared an international health emergency over the virus, citing concern over a possible link with a rise in cases of microcephaly, a birth defect characterised by an abnormally small head that can result in developmental problems.

However, a causal link has not been proven.

British Olympic Association Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe said none of the country's athletes were reluctant to go.

Many leading male golfers are among those determined not to miss Rio, when their sport returns to the Olympics after an absence of more than a century.

"We're used to being in different climates and different areas with many different concerns, not just the Zika virus or whatever it might be, so we realise the dangers when we do travel," said American world number 14 Brandt Snedeker.


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Source: AAP



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