The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Bahamas Olympic team doctor Dr Rickey Davis said the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) is monitoring all Zika virus advisories from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before a decision is made on whether to travel to this summer’s event.

The mosquito-borne virus, which is widespread in Brazil and has been linked to birth defects, has prompted concern among athletes and sports officials around the world as they prepare for the games in Rio, scheduled for August 5-21.

“We are very concerned health-wise and we are very concerned for our athletes,” said Dr Davis. “We are doing basically the same things that everybody else is doing.”

Among those things, according to Davis, is trying to “prevent the Zika virus” from attacking anybody.

“So if they can quarantine it, we will be safe,” he stated. “If it is not quarantined, then I don’t think we will travel to the Olympics.”

Davis said the safety of the athletes is the most important thing.

“We have to look at the safety of the athletes first,” he said. “And one of the things that we always do is we look at the safety of the Bahamian athletes. So when we travel to another country, we make sure that they are safe health-wise, physically, mentally, socially and emotionally.

“If the environment is not conducive for our athletes and there is some contaminated area, why should we go there? Is it really worth it? It’s like having an athlete with an injury. Would you allow that athlete to compete and cause more harm? So we look at it in the same way. We’re doing the best that we can do. We are hoping and praying that everything is done well so that we can participate.”

Chef de mission Roy Colebrooke, a vice president in the BOC, said they are going about business as usual until the appropriate time.

“When I went there in August for the site inspections at the chef de mission meeting, the Zika virus wasn’t out yet,” he said. “I believe that with all of the updates that are sent from Brazil, they are doing all in their power to ensure that this matter is addressed.”

Although countries like Kenya and the United States have gone on record as to say that they will leave it up to the athletes to decide if they want to attend the games, Colebrooke said the BOC will make sure that, when it’s time to travel, if there is still an issue, the athletes won’t be competing.

“I will be there before the games start and so if there is a problem, no team will travel,” he charged. “If it is not suitable for our athletes or if they are going to be in danger, then we have to get together as a committee and make a decision. But under no circumstances will we allow our athletes to travel to a country to compete where there are some health concerns that could affect them.”

At this stage, there’s no indication that the games will be moved to another country because of the Zika virus.