RIO DE JANEIRO United States goalkeeper Hope Solo was the target of some teasing at the hands of Brazilian soccer fans on Wednesday as her team beat New Zealand 2-0 in their opening match of their quest for a fourth successive Olympic gold.
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Because Solo is a actually a big loser.
Whether Hope Solo is being booed for speaking out against the Zika virus during the Rio Olympics, or posting her thoughts on her Instagram, Twitter, or her own website, it’s needless to say that Solo isn’t afraid to speak her mind. “Zika!” was also yelled at her during the game.
“If anyone in the village forgets to pack repellant, come and see me”, read one of the tweets, showing an arsenal bug repellent and mosquito-proofing equipment. However, three months later in May, Solo told CNBC that she would “begrudgingly” participate in the Rio Olympics, saying she would “take extra precautions”.
The Zika virus poses an especially scary risk to babies in utero, who can endure severe brain abnormalities and death as a result of the disease. “I do know that it’s spreading and they don’t really have a vaccination to treat it, so it’s definitely worrisome”. “Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects”.
“But I think the fans just want to have fun in the stadium, I understand”.
Which is understandable. But she may have overdone it online. It was also her 150th career win.
Hope Solo received harsh treatment from the crowd.
Asked after the game about the taunts you can clearly hear below, Solo blew them off as being part of the sport.
Still, the professional soccer star didn’t seem phased by the crowd reaction, telling NBC Sports after the game, “It’s the Brazilians – they love soccer, they love football”. She riled some Brazilians when she posted photo of herself decked out in mosquito netting and armed with insecticide, with the caption: “Not sharing this!”. She started when the USA won the World Cup last summer, and the team is a heavy favorite to win gold this year. So fine. But just because the World Health Organization deemed Brazil “safe” for the Olympics doesn’t mean women, who the virus primarily affects, can’t think twice or joke about it in a selfie.
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Even as she repelled shot after shot on Saturday, the chants continued, and were more noticeable than they were Wednesday.
