Philippines, 22 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


IOC INSISTS RIO OLYMPIC GAMES WILL GO AHEAD DESPITE THREAT IF ZIKA VIRUS


PhilBoxing.com




The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it sees no need to cancel, delay or move the Rio Olympic Games because of the Zika virus threat.

However, BBC Sports reveals that IOC medical director Richard Budgett it would continue to monitor the situation closely.

Dr Budgett was responding to a call by Canadian health Professor Amir Attaran for the Games to be postponed or moved.

Prof Attaran said that the influx of visitors to Brazil would result in the avoidable births of malformed babies.

In a telephone interview with the Associated Press, he said ?If the IOC and the World Health Organization (WHO) do not have the generosity of heart to delay the games to prevent children being born and disabled their whole lives, then they're among the cruelest institutions in the world."

Professor Attaran insisted, "What I'm asking for is a bit of delayed gratification so that babies aren't born permanently disabled."

Prof Attaran - a public health specialist ? argued that Zika is far worse than the IOC is willing to admit.

In an article for the Harvard Public Review the professor claimed that Rio de Janeiro is more affected by Zika than anyone expected and that all it takes is one infected traveller to start a process that could ultimately result in a "full-blown global health disaster".

He argued that if the Games go ahead, it would be especially unfair on countries like Nigeria, India and Indonesia, which do not have the same resources to fight Zika as Brazil.

But his point of view is hotly contested by Olympic and global health authorities including the WHO, who are adamant the 5-21 August Games will not be derailed by the virus.

The IOC - which adheres to the WHO's advice - insisted there were no plans to relocate or postpone the games. The IOC also pointed out that the mosquito threat will not be so great during Brazil's winter months.

Dr. Budgett said "The clear statements from WHO that there should be no restrictions on travel and trade means there is no justification for cancelling, delaying, postponing or moving the Rio Games."

Dr Budgett said, ?The IOC will continue to monitor the situation
very closely and work with the WHO, and we're confident as we've been advised by the experts that the situation will improve over the next three months."

A separate IOC statement said that plans were in place to target mosquitoes and deal with their stagnant water breeding grounds.

The statement said it was important to remember the Olympic and Paralympics Games are taking place in the winter months of August and September, when mosquitoes should not be so abundant.
The Olympics are expected to attract about 500,000 visitors from abroad.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Pacquiao Sends US Boxing Scene Buzzing Again
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 22 Jul 2025
  • Hurting inside
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 22 Jul 2025
  • Shocking Incident at MaxFight 62: Fighter Bites Opponent’s Ear in Live MMA Broadcast, Prompting National Outrage and Scrutiny of Bulgarian MMA Federation
    , Tue, 22 Jul 2025
  • Immanuwel Aleem Takes on Demond NIcholson in DMV Turf War on Saturday. July 26th at The Hall in Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland
    , Mon, 21 Jul 2025
  • Barrios lucky to keep title
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 21 Jul 2025
  • Allan Cantonjos rules Dipolog FIDE Standard chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 21 Jul 2025
  • PHI GenTri Chess Players to Wave Philippine Flag in Hong Kong
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 21 Jul 2025
  • Filipino Pride and the Art of Hero Worship
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 21 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao vs. Logic
    By Mark F. Villanueva, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • McTavish a proud Filipino
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • GM Antonio rules Taiwan blitz chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • History Slips From Pacquiao's Hands as Barrios Fight Ends in Majority Draw
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • Fundora Dominates Tszyu: "Towering Inferno" Retains Title in Strategic Masterclass
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • PITBULL CRUZ DOMINATES OMAR SALCEDO TO WIN WBC 140 LB INTERIM TITLE
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • Figueroa Claims Hard-Fought Decision in Grueling War Against Gonzalez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • MAGSAYO, MARCIAL REGISTER WINS IN LAS VEGAS
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao vs Barrios: Factors of consequence
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • How to Watch Pacquiao vs Barrios in the Philippines
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 20 Jul 2025
  • Final Hours Tick Down: Pacquiao and Barrios Ready for Destiny in Las Vegas
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Philippines Sweeps Kyrgyzstan, Secures Return to Davis Cup Group III
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Bounce Back, Blank Hong Kong 12–0 in Four Innings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao vs. Barrios: Weigh-in Results and Fight Analysis
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Panamanian Star Nataly Delgado wins WBA super flyweight champinship
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Usyk vs Dubois Rematch Marred by Oversaturated Pay-Per-View Market
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Weights from Washington, PA
    , Sat, 19 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.