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WHO: No justification for cancelling Rio Olympics on grounds of Zika virus
POSTED 31 May 2016 . BY Matthew Campelli
A number of top athletes have claimed that the Zika virus has made them think twice about competing in the Rio Games
The World Health Organization (WHO) has dismissed calls for the Rio Olympics to be moved or cancelled as a result of the growing Zika crisis.

Last week, 150 public health experts penned a letter to the organisation warning that the risk of infection from the virus – which has links to birth defects and brain abnormalities in babies – was too great for the event to be held safely.

Despite the letter’s claims that allowing the Games to proceed would “pose an unnecessary risk to 500,000 foreign tourists”, the WHO said hosting the event in the Brazilian city as scheduled would “not significantly alter the international spread of the Zika virus”.

“Brazil is one of almost 60 countries and territories which to date report continuing transmission of Zika by mosquitoes,” said the letter. “People continue to travel between these countries and territories for a variety of reasons. The best way to reduce risk of the disease is to follow public health travel advice.

“There is no public health justification for postponing or cancelling the Games.”

However, the WHO has continued to advise that pregnant women should not travel to regions where Zika is prevalent, while the partners of pregnant women travelling back from the area have been told to “practice safer sex or abstain throughout the pregnancy”.

A number of top athletes – such as London 2012 gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill and golfer Rory McIlroy – have recently stated that they were considering staying away from the upcoming Olympics due to the virus.
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  Basketball arena for Rio 2016 unveiled


Rio 2016 organisers have unveiled the 16,000-capacity basketball venue for the Games which forms part of the city’s US$195m (£136.3m, €179.3m) Olympic Training Centre (OTC).
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NEWS
WHO: No justification for cancelling Rio Olympics on grounds of Zika virus
POSTED 31 May 2016 . BY Matthew Campelli
A number of top athletes have claimed that the Zika virus has made them think twice about competing in the Rio Games
The World Health Organization (WHO) has dismissed calls for the Rio Olympics to be moved or cancelled as a result of the growing Zika crisis.

Last week, 150 public health experts penned a letter to the organisation warning that the risk of infection from the virus – which has links to birth defects and brain abnormalities in babies – was too great for the event to be held safely.

Despite the letter’s claims that allowing the Games to proceed would “pose an unnecessary risk to 500,000 foreign tourists”, the WHO said hosting the event in the Brazilian city as scheduled would “not significantly alter the international spread of the Zika virus”.

“Brazil is one of almost 60 countries and territories which to date report continuing transmission of Zika by mosquitoes,” said the letter. “People continue to travel between these countries and territories for a variety of reasons. The best way to reduce risk of the disease is to follow public health travel advice.

“There is no public health justification for postponing or cancelling the Games.”

However, the WHO has continued to advise that pregnant women should not travel to regions where Zika is prevalent, while the partners of pregnant women travelling back from the area have been told to “practice safer sex or abstain throughout the pregnancy”.

A number of top athletes – such as London 2012 gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill and golfer Rory McIlroy – have recently stated that they were considering staying away from the upcoming Olympics due to the virus.
RELATED STORIES
Bach confirms refugee team will take part at Rio 2016


Forty-three promising athletes are being lined up to compete at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio in a team made up entirely of refugees.
British firms win £600m worth of business as a result of Brazilian sporting events


British companies have won £600m (US$846.8m, €769.2m) worth of business from Brazil since 2013 as a result of the nation hosting several major sporting events in quick succession.
Basketball arena for Rio 2016 unveiled


Rio 2016 organisers have unveiled the 16,000-capacity basketball venue for the Games which forms part of the city’s US$195m (£136.3m, €179.3m) Olympic Training Centre (OTC).
Golf course for Rio 2016 unveiled


The golf course which will herald the return of the sport to the Olympic Games after 112 years has been unveiled in Rio de Janeiro.
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Les Mills calls on the industry to support UNICEF
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout for the World event on 20 June, in support of UNICEF.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
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Researchers identify a drug which reduces muscle loss when using GLP-1 medications
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