Olympics Under The Threat Of Zika

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Zika virus is spread by the bite of a mosquito belonging to the Aedes genus. This is a serious outbreak and could affect hundreds of people in a short span of time. According to reports, the Aedes mosquito can only fly a few hundred meters all their life. However, the infection travels the world when people who are infected travel to other places.

The Rio Olympics was under the threat of Zika virus infection as it was being held in one of the infected locations. The chance of contriving the disease was a risk many Tennis players refused to take. When questioned about their opinions, most of them answered that they preferred staying safe rather than take a risk and get infected. Some of them preferred to remain healthy and concentrate on the other major world tournaments.

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The risk of injuring their career just to participate in the Olympics was not one that they were prepared to take. There were others who said things were not in their own control and anything could happen to anyone anywhere. So they were willing to go along and take part in the Olympics. US player Sloane Stephens was one of the people who in spite of receiving medical advice not to travel to Rio went ahead with her Olympic plans. She decided she would go and fulfill her dream to play in the Olympics and face what was awaiting her.

Brazilian player Bruno Soares was clearer about the situation in Brazil. He felt it’s his duty to explain what was really happening. He said that it was not the end of the world out there and the international media was creating a huge fuss over this. He also said that mosquitoes were more in the summer and still there were no major problems, so there was no need to fear during winter when mosquitoes are much less in number.

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Addition Of A New Refugee Team To The Rio Olympics

rio-olympicsA new team titled Refugee Olympic Athletes was introduced by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee. The team of Refugee Olympic Athletes will be treated similar like all the other 206 teams at the Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro. Explicit details about the operational aspects of the new team were also provided by the Executive Board. The team Refugee Olympic Athletes will receive its welcome ceremony like others. The new team will then be housed. The Olympic flag and the Olympic Anthem will be raised for officially representing the new formed Refugee Olympic Athletes team.

eeac657c13b254ca48ca55428ad827e49e90d70bThe International Olympic Committee is said to provide team uniforms as well as appoint a team associate to fulfill the technical requirements of the athletes. At the opening ceremony, the Refugee Olympic Athletes team will march behind the host team. The Executive Board also guarantees an adequate insurance policy for the team. The International Olympic Committee will ensure a stringent doping control process through the World Anti-Doping Agency. The travel and participation expenses for the Refugee Olympic Athletes team will be met by the Olympic Solidarity. The new team for Rio Olympics 2016 is anticipated to comprise five to ten athletes.

The National Olympic Committee are in the process of identifying refugee athletes affected by the worldwide refugee crisis. Such eligible athletes would then be sponsored by the Olympic Solidarity to enhance their qualification and preparation for the Olympics. The nomination criteria for selecting athletes into the team would be based on their sporting levels, personal situation and background analysis. After an official refugee status verification by the United Nations, the athletes are officially chosen. Thomas Bach, the president of International Olympic Committee welcomed the team of Refugee Olympic Athletes to Rio Olympics 2016. This has created a hope amongst all refugees.

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