What Effect Will Zika Virus Have On USA Basketball, Olympics?

Zika virus seems to be the hot topic surrounding the Olympics, not the actual games. How will the virus effect USA Basketball and other Olympians?

Zika virus is a disease that has caused thousands of newborn babies to have underdeveloped brains, according to BBC News. The virus is carried through Aedes mosquitos through the Americas, except for Chile in Canada where it is too cold for them to survive. It can also be transmitted sexually.

The cause for concern with the upcoming Olympics is due to the widespread growth in Brazil, the host country of the 2016 Summer Olympics.

In 2014, Brazil had less than 150 cases of microcephaly, which is a baby being born with an abnormally small head and a major symptom of zika virus. That number escalated to more than 4,700 cases since Oct. 22, 2015 with 404 of those being confirmed.

Many of the NBA’s greatest stars have decided to pass on the 2016 Summer Olympics, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most, because of the threat that zika virus imposes. It isn’t just impacting the decision of basketball players.

When the United States Olympians walk into the Olympic ceremonies on Friday, there will be an underwhelming small number of them. Original estimates had close to 200,000 Olympians participating in the games, but the number has dwindled to around 100,000, according to the USA Today.

NBA player and Spaniard, Pau Gasol, was undecided on the Olympics when he made headlines by saying that he would consider freezing his sperm before going to Brazil. Olympic long jumper Greg Rutherford will freeze his sperm ahead of the Olympics. Gasol ultimately will be a part of Spain’s national team, at 36 years old it may be his last attempt at Olympic gold.

Members of the USA Women’s Basketball team are not in fear of zika virus. Tina Charles and Angel McCoughtry offered their takes, according to the Hartford Courant‘s John Altavilla.

“Does it freak me out? No, not at all,” said Charles on zika virus. “My parents are from the West Indies and I’ve been visiting Kingston, Jamaica since I was a little girl. You deal with mosquitos.”

“I trust that USA Basketball and the Olympic committee will put us in the best situation possible so that we can focus all of our attention on winning a gold medal.”

McCoughtry provides a different take on why she isn’t concerned with zika virus.

“I’m not concerned,” McCoughtry said. “Isn’t there a new a different disease that pops up every year? Last year it was Ebola. The year before that it was swine flu. It seems pretty odd, huh? But, hey, there are diseases out in the world. You cant live in fear. You’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do and take the necessary precautions.”

Zika virus may be the least of Olympians concerns, however. Brazil has growing economic and security concerns in their country, and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps is more concerned over that.

“Security-wise we’re more worried,” Phelps told the New York Times‘ Karen Crouse.

Hearing from Phelps may hold more stake than other Olympians because he holds swim clinics in favelas, Brazilian slums. He has been to Brazil four times and has plenty of experiences.

Security is going to be key. There was a protest at a local airport where officers held a banner that read “Welcome to hell. Police and firefighters don’t get paid, whoever comes to Rio de Janeiro will not be safe.”

According to the New York Times’ story, parents are taking matters into their own hands by hiring drivers to take them from their hotels to event centers to ensure safety.

Whatever problems there are in Brazil, there will likely be other places. Security is always an issue with the growing world tensions and battle against terrorist organizations. Perhaps McCoughtry’s take is the best one, why live in fear?

As the Olympics begin on Aug. 5th with the opening ceremonies, the news should turn towards the celebration of the best athletes in the world all in one place, not zika virus or economic and security concerns.