The World Health Organization (WHO) has assembled an expert committee to consider whether the Rio Games should proceed as scheduled following recent growing concerns about the Zika virus.
Last month, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen inquired about the whether the Games should be postponed or not to WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan. Chan responded to the request by saying that the WHO has sent scientists to Brazil four times to access the risk of Zika.
Out of all the nations that the Zika virus has affected, Brazil has been hit hardest with almost 1,500 cases of brain-damaged babies linked to the virus.
“Given the current level of international concern, I have decided to ask members of the Zika Emergency Committee to examine the risks of holding the Olympic Summer Games as currently scheduled,” Chan wrote
The meeting will likely take place sometime this week, according to the WHO.
This is a clear shift in attitude, as in late May when a group of 152 scientists wrote an open letter to the WHO about Zika concerns, the response was much different.
The WHO released a statement stating that “Based on current assessment, cancelling or changing the location of the 2016 Olympics will not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus.”
The biggest concern going into the Summer Games are for pregnant women, as infection during pregnancy is believed to cause major birth defects.
Who?
WHO!
It’s about time!! Better late than never. Didn’t they just recently say oh well doesn’t matter anyway. Zika will spread regardless. Zika combined with the political corruption and instability in Brazil should have moved these games months ago
Sorry but “the boat sailed” back in December on any other alternative to either go ahead or cancelling the whole show ….. which comes with the liklihood of astronomic “breach of contract” suits from all corners.
To have moved the Games “lock stock and barrell” to any other city, even London, the cut-off was probably the beginning of 2014. Too many of those venues have either been dismantled/sites redeveloped or been reconstructed with lower spectator capacity. Then you have the issues of finding athlete accomodation, ticketing and the logistics of re-organising mass transit schedules in major city.
Even to redistribute the various sports out to various cities around the world would need a minimum of 9 months notice, given they… Read more »