Tony Azevedo has quite a resume built up from being a profession water polo. He will be attending his fifth Olympic games this summer in Rio de Janeiro, and he owns a silver medal from the 2008 Beijing games. He has 5 Pan American Game gold medals and has been the captain of the USA Water Polo team since 2007.
Yet, his greatest joy seems to be his family but mostly, their health. He has a baby boy, Cruz, who turns 3 on May 20th and his wife is currently pregnant with their second child. Within a few weeks they will find out if their new family addition is a girl, or a boy.
His wife Sara Azevedo and their son Cruz are going to have to sit the Olympic Games out this summer and watch from the states because of threats from the ominous Zika Virus.The Virus has left Kenya debating on whether to come to the games and has sparked (denied) rumors that the USOC has told other federations to consider not attending the games.
The Zika Virus has spread via mosquitoes throughout Central and South America and has infected Brazil. Although the disease is not always serious for a healthy adult, it can be dangerous and even fatal for a pregnant woman and her fetus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stated that once passed to a fetus, it can cause serious brain defects for the child. On the CDC website, it specifically states, “women who are pregnant should not travel to areas with Zika.”
While the soon-to-be-family of four want to celebrate together in Brazil, they have decided it is not worth the risk. The baby will be born only weeks after the games are over.
As quoted from the Weekly US Magazine article that was also posted on this, Azevedo explains “… because of this whole Zika thing, I don’ think Sara is going to be able to go to the Olympics.”
Other athletes have voiced their fears over the Zika Virus. American female wrestle star, Adeline Gray, who is a favorite in the event, told the New York Post that if she was planning on having a baby, she would have really considered whether or not to attend.
For Azevedo, he has much to look forward to. With aspirations of gold, a healthy baby on the way, a growing son and a strong support system, he is ready for the Olympics. These games are meaningful to him because he was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Although he was born in Brazil, and is excited to return he also told the US Magazine that he’s all-in for Team USA. “I love Brazil and I’ll never forget it, and it’ll always be apart of my life. But I’m from America and I’m the captain of the U.S team, and the only thing I think about is winning for the U.S.”
Not content with the presentation of a non possibilith as a missed opportunity denied by those Brazilians you gave upped it .
Get this – a 25 year old female wrestler MiGHT have had a problem IF she had been.pregnant . Lady just cross your legs for 2 months & you’ll be fine .Lie back & think of America .
Sheesh .
FGS this is prppaganda. No one should be travelling within the last known last weeks of pregnancy – probably anywhere but overseas of course. Airplanes will not let you travel heavily pregnant for everyone’s safety .