Novak Djokovic has no plans of skipping the Olympic Games after a group of the world’s leading scientists warned that the event should be postponed due to the Zika Virus.
On Friday, a group of 100 scientists wrote an open letter to the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) urging for the suspension of the games due to the virus. They argue that the games pose an “unnecessary risk” to an estimated 500,000 people attending the event.
The letter has elevated concerns about the mosquito-born virus spreading throughout the world. This year Djokovic is hoping to win his second Olympic medal after Beijing 2008. Addressing the potential health concerns, the world No.1 has reiterated his commitment to the event.
“I need to get informed more so I can speak in more in detail about it,” he said about the Zika Virus.
“I’m planning to play Olympics. Nothing is changing.”
The proposal to suspended the four-year event is one that Djokovic has labelled as ‘unthinkable’. The last time the event was cancelled was in 1944 when the London games were scrapped due to World War Two.
“To cancel the Olympic Games is unthinkable, honestly. I mean, many athletes and people already planned in advance and so many people already planned their trips and accommodation in Rio.” Djokovic said.
Similar to Djokovic, Serena Williams also has no intention of changing her Olympic plans. Williams, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, admitted that the potential health risk has been playing on her mind.
“It’s something that’s been on my mind. I’m really just gonna have to go super protected,” the world No.1 said.
World No.14 Carla Suarez Navarro is taking a ‘wait and see’ approach concerning the Virus. Suarez Navarro, who will be playing in her third Olympics, has expressed her confidence in the handling of the situation by the authorities.
“If we are allowed to go to Rio, I suppose there is not much risk in going there.” The Spaniard said.
“I suppose everything is under control. I don’t know, really, but as we get closer to the date, we’ll see.”
The WHO has played down the letter and has argued that there is no need to delay the games because there are adequate procedures in place. The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo da Costa Paes, has also dismissed the concerns. He said that over 3000 health officials will be monitoring the disease and inspections will be ‘stepped up’ in August.
Earlier this year, Rio hosted a combined WTA/ATP tournament. The Zika Virus threat was a key topic during that tournament, however, no player contacted the virus. Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer both dismissed concerns about playing in Brazil.
In a report written by Amir Attaran for the Harvard Health review, he reported that there has been 26,000 suspected cases of the Zika virus in Rio de Janeiro, the highest of any state in Brazil.
