The International Olympic Committee has revealed that a refugee will carry the Olympic torch in Greece and refugees will march behind the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony for the Rio Games.
Advertisement
“The Olympic games will take place during the Brazilian winter so at that time we will have different climate conditions than there are now, when we are in the middle of the Brazilian summer”, he said, adding that the IOC was working in “close cooperation” with Brazilian authorities.
Nine years ago, new cases emerged in islands in the Pacific Ocean, and the virus – for which there is no vaccine or cure – made its way to the Americas last year.
“With this in mind, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is closely monitoring the situation with Zika in Brazil”.
The virus is primarily spread through mosquito bites and has been linked to birth defects and neurological problems. As many as 1.5 million people are believed to have contracted the virus in Brazil since then, and the authorities are now investigating thousands of reported cases of babies being born recently with brain damage and abnormally small heads.
“The Olympic and Paralympic venues will be inspected on a daily basis during the Rio 2016 Games to ensure there are no puddles of stagnant water and therefore minimise the risk of coming into contact with mosquitoes”, organisers said. “There’s the issue with Zika, and also an issue with the dengue virus and even malaria in some of the cities like Manaus, Belo Horizonte and Brasilia where [soccer] will be played”.
More than one million refugees and migrants from Syria and other countries entered Europe in 2015 hoping to rebuild their lives.
Bach said he expected between five and 10 refugee athletes to qualify for the Olympics.
Are the Rio Olympics in danger of being shut down? Deep spending cuts have come as Brazil reels from its worst economic slump in decades.
The national Under-23 coach, however, says the South African Football Association’s finance committee must still approve the trip.
Advertisement
While ticket sales had already been disappointing organisers, concerns are growing that travellers from other countries could cancel plans to visit because of Zika.
