Member of the USA Women’s football team Hope Solo was booed heavily during their match New Zealand after her controversial statement about the “Zika” virus. Solo is a two-time Olympic Gold medallist, a World Cup Gold medallist and is the goalkeeper for the USA since 2000.
The footballer joked about Olympics hosts Brazil in dangerous due to the “Zika” virus. As a reaction to the comment, the crowd present at the stadium were heard chanting “Zika” whenever Solo was kicking the ball. Having won the first two ties to France and New Zealand respectively, USA is most likely through to the quarter-finals after their last group stage fixture against Colombia in two days’ time.
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Zika Virus is the main reason why many athletes around the globe have decided to give the mega event a miss. Golfers Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Vijay Singh, and Adam Scott are the main stars to have pulled out of the event which will be introduced in the Olympics for the first time in 108 years.
Among other big names who withdrew from the Olympics are Tennis stars Milos Raonic and Simona Halep and also American cyclist Tejay van Garderen. As per the reports of the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is learnt that as many as 166,000 people are suspected to be suffering from the Zika virus in the Latin American Nation.
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In another turn of events, due to Solo’s statement, the USA beach volleyball team was also booed and taunted by the Brazilian crowd during their match at the Copacabana’s beach volleyball arena in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Each time the Americans prepared to serve the people witnessing the match tried to break the concentration by screaming at the women from the USA.
The mosquito-borne disease can cause serious neurological disorders, and many are taking serious precautions not to get affected by it. But the pictures posted on the social media by America’s most successful goalkeeper were definitely offensive to the respective nation. It was seen she displayed her collection of mosquito repellents and also states that if anyone forgets to pack her repellent can contact her for help.
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It is also necessary for the supporters travelling to Brazil to vaccinate before taking the flight to Rio. According to the reports of express.co.uk GP Sarah Jarvis, a fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners said, “It has spread so fast and so far, as far as I’m concerned, the whole of Brazil is at risk. It’s just not worth taking a risk” pointing out the need of vaccination.
