The Olympic Games it yet to begin and already the sporting community has been thrown into chaos due to a heated debate concerning the Zika Virus.
Shortly after their defeat in the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup, the Bryan Brothers became the latest high profile names to quit Rio due to health concerns. The most decorated doubles team in the history of tennis join players Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic and Simona Halep in boycotting the games due to health concerns. Whilst many has sympathise with the reasons for withdrawals, one player has called their fears ‘an excuse’ not to play.
Doubles specialist Bruno Soares does not share the same viewpoint as his fellow players. Unlike many others, Soares lives in Brazil and has first hand experience of how the Mosquito-borne infection has affected his country.
“This is bothering me a little bit, because I accept and agree with those who doesn’t want to come because there’s no points, no money and there’s not a big thing at stake. There are people who doesn’t believe they have a big chance to get a medal and prefer to go after other goals, however, I think that players are making a weak excuse not to come.” He recently said about the rising number of withdrawals.
It is a big claim to say that players are making excuses to skip the four-year sporting extravaganza, however, Soares does have a valid point. The Zika Virus has been problematic in Brazil for over a year. In February the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern due to the disease. Nevertheless, tennis in Brazil has continued. A total of three major tournaments (two ATP and one WTA) has already taken place with no player catching the Zika Virus. If those three events went ahead without incident, then what makes the Olympics different?
One explanation could be the mass hysteria concerning the disease that has been broadcast by the world’s media. This is not the fault of the media themselves, after all they are just doing their jobs. On the other hand, they do have a skill of making something appear more dangerous than it actually is. A view that is supported by world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
“Of course, there is always a possibility that you can get the virus, but maybe I think all the buzz and fuss about the virus has been created with some kind of other intent, so I’m not going to get into.” Djokovic recently said during the Rogers Cup.
A recent study by the Yale School of Public Health has projected that in a worst case scenario, up to 37 people could contract the Zika Virus and take it back to their home country. A tiny number considering 500,000 people are expected to be attending. Albert Ko, one of the authors of the paper, has said athletes’ concerns about the Zika Virus has been ‘largely exaggerated’.
“The possibility that travellers returning from the Olympics may spread Zika has become a polemic issue that has led to athletes dropping out of the event, and without evidence, undue stigmatization of Brazil. This study provides data, which together with initial findings from Brazilian scientists, show that these concerns may be largely exaggerated,” Ko told YaleNews.
Every player will say that there is life beyond tennis. This is perhaps why the absent players are taking extra caution as they don’t want to jeopardise their future family plans. On the other hand, it seems a bit irrational to pull out of the event due to Zika alone.
If players want to skip the Olympics, they could have used other justifications that carry a greater validity. For example, why has no athlete withdrawn due to the risk of Dengue fever? Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes that can cause a high fever, headaches and pain behind the eyes. In a worst case scenario, the disease could be fatal. A recent article published by Thinkprogress.org highlighted that for every one Zika Virus case, there are six concerning dengue.
“This year in Brazil, there have been 4,771 reported cases of Zika — compared to 1,244,583 cases of dengue. Rio de Janeiro alone has seen 8,133 cases of dengue, six times higher than the reported number at this time last year.” The article reported.
There is no denying that the Zika Virus is a troubling issue that needs to urgently addressed by health authorities. On the other hand, it seems that many tennis players have fallen victim to the mass panic surrounding the issue. A terrible shame for what is the greatest sporting show on earth.
