(RIO DE JANEIRO) — Brazil’s sports minister said Thursday that a cancellation of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics because of the outbreak of the Zika virus “is not in discussion.” Sports Minister George Hilton issued a statement saying he “lamented material and opinions in the press” speculating that South America’s first games might be called off. “The Brazilian government is fully committed to ensure that the 2016 Rio games take place in an atmosphere of security and tranquility,” Hilton wrote. Brazil is the epicenter of an outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which the World Health Organization has called “an extraordinary event and public health threat.” Health officials are investigating whether there is a link between Zika infections in pregnant women and a rare birth defect. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said this week he was “very confident” the games would take place.

BING NEWS:
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    05/28/2024 - 3:17 am | View Link
  • Thiago Braz, Rio Olympic pole vault gold medalist, suspended through Paris Games
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    05/12/2024 - 11:27 am | View Link
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    05/10/2024 - 1:41 pm | View Link
  • Over 100 people dead, at least 136 missing as rains trigger massive floods in Brazil
    Unprecedented heavy rainfall in Brazil has caused devastating floods in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul that has left more than 100 dead and over 163,000 seeking shelter. The floods that ...
    05/9/2024 - 8:41 am | View Link
  • More

 

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