Jason Day Withdraws From Rio To Protect His Family From The Zika Virus

The world’s number one golfer will not compete in Rio.
Jason Day has announced that he is withdrawing from the upcoming Olympic Games, due to concerns surrounding the outbreak of the Zika Virus in Brazil.
Australia’s top pro-golfer announced on his Twitter page last night that, although the risk of contracting Zika whilst at the games was minimal, it was a risk he was unwilling to take given he and his wife are planning on having more children in the near future.

“It is with deep regret I announce that I will not be competing in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games this coming August in Rio de Janeiro. The reason for my decision is my concerns about the possible transmission of the zika virus and the potential risks that it may present to my wife’s future pregnancies and to future members of our family. I have always placed my family in front of everything else in my life. Medical experts have confirmed that while perhaps slight, a decision to compete in Rio absolutely comes with health risks to me and to my family.


My wife Ellie and I have been blessed with two wonderful and healthy children and our plan is to have more. Whilst it has always been a major goal to compete in the Olympics on behalf of my country, playing golf cannot take precedent over the safety of our family. I will not place them at risk.


I have informed coach Ian Baker Finch and Stephen Pitt the CEO of Golf Australia of my difficult decision. I hope all golf and Olympics fans respect and understand my position.


In closing, I would like to thank all of those who have supported me throughout my career and extend my best wishes to all participants. Especially the entire Australian Olympic Team as they pursue their dreams in Rio de Janeiro.”


Day’s withdrawal due to zika fears comes on the heels of medical authorities announcing the successful trial of an early-form of a zika vaccine in lab trials.

Medical journals have revealed two successful vaccine trials, one a DNA vaccine and the other an inactive virus-based inoculation, with mice injected with the vaccine being shown to be both free of the virus and in otherwise good health.
Scientists, although cautious, have expressed that this is an important step in the development of a potential human vaccine (a task that is considered a global health priority by the World Health Organisation) and that trials in humans could begin within months.
The Rio Olympics begins in just over a month’s time, on August 5th.
Source: ABC News.
Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty.

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