HARTFORD, Conn. — Gabby Douglas is not among the athletes worried about the Zika virus.
The defending Olympic champion said Friday there always seems to be something for athletes to worry about before the games. In 2004, it was the threat of terrorism at the Athens Games, the first after 9/11. In 2008, it was Beijing’s pollution.
Now it’s Zika, a mosquito-born virus that has been linked to birth defects in babies and a disease that can cause temporary paralysis in adults.
Brazil has been hit particularly hard by the disease, and some health professionals have called for the Games to be moved or canceled. But Rio organizers say the risk will be small because the games will be held during the South American winter, when the mosquito population is greatly reduced.
“It’s up to you,” Douglas said Friday. “Are you going to let it affect you? Or are you going to go over and do your job?”
She left no doubt she’s already made up her mind.
“It’s the Olympics. It’s the Olympics!” Douglas said. “Mosquitoes, like, whatever. I’m going. This is my shot, this is big. I don’t care about no stupid bugs!”
