As the Rio Olympics draw closer, more athletes are refusing to participate because of Zika virus concerns. The chance of catching the disease is low, and the World Health Organization declared the Games will be safe, but many athletes aren't about to the risk.
Serena Williams will compete and says she is sad so many fellow athletes will not.
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"But at the same time I obviously understand where they're coming from and how they feel," she told Tuesday, Yahoo Sports. "Part of me feels that way, too, which is why I'm going in with a whole mindset of how do I protect myself."
Golfers Jason Day and Rory McIlroy area among headliners who cited Zika as the reason they dropped out. Others said it was a factor. U.S. soccer's Hope Solo is among a number of athletes who were hesitant to take part but decided to travel and hope for the best.
The Rio Games are scheduled to begin Aug. 7. Brazil's push for the Olympics has been plagued by problems including the rise of the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes that live and breed in fetid swampy areas in and near the host city. Also creating fears for the Games are Brazil's financial and political problems, ever-present gang fighting in the impoverished city's slums and pollution in waterways were events will be staged.
Participants are being told by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control that concluded there's a "very low risk" of any travelers contracting the Zika virus in Rio this year.
Williams is a four-time gold medalist, including the 2012 singles and doubles competitions. She calls playing in the Olympics "one of the best experiences that I've had."
