Djokovic says concern about Zika needs to be broader.
Tennis player Novak Djokovic urged people to think about the Brazilians who are having to live with the Zika virus outbreak daily, instead of worrying about how the situation might affect those who are scheduled to travel to Brazil for the Rio Olympics in August; "Honestly, I don't know what to think anymore, but at the moment I'm planning to go to the Olympics. Nothing is changing," said Djokovic.
PARIS (Reuters) Tennis player Novak Djokovic urged people to think about the Brazilians who are having to live with the Zika virus outbreak daily, instead of worrying about how the situation might affect those who are scheduled to travel to Brazil for the Rio Olympics in August.
The World Health Organization (WHO) rejected a request on Saturday to postpone or change the location of the Rio games after a group of 100 scientists said that new findings about the Zika virus make it unethical to proceed with the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The United Nations health agency said that holding the Games in Rio as planned "would not significantly alter" the spread of Zika, which is linked to serious birth defects.
"Honestly, I don't know what to think anymore... but at the moment I'm planning to go to the Olympic Games. Nothing is changing," Djokovic told reporters at the French Open on Saturday.
"Considering canceling the Olympic Games is unthinkable. Many athletes and people have planned well in advance... their travel and accommodation in Rio."
"We shouldn't just think about the people who go to Rio. What about the people who live there, you know? They aren't talked about much. So I think we have to look at it from different perspectives in order to reach the right conclusion."
The WHO advises pregnant women not to travel to areas with the Zika virus, including Rio de Janeiro, and recommends that everyone make efforts to avoid mosquito bites and practice safe sex.
(By Pritha Sarkar)