The Brazilian authorities have announced plans to prevent the spread of the Zika virus during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games later this year.
The mosquito-borne disease - which can cause severe birth defects - has been spreading through the Americas and concerns have been raised ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place this summer.
Efforts being taken in Brazil include inspections of Games facilities, which will begin four months before the start of the Games, to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds. During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, daily sweeps will also take place.
It is hoped the fact that the Games, which are taking place in the cooler, drier month of August when mosquitoes are far less prevalent, will help keep cases down.
The British Olympic Association said that it would be monitoring the situation and that it has been working alongside the London School of Tropical Medicine to provide advice on this matter.
A spokesperson said the aim is to ensure that team members are “given the most up-to-date travel medicine advice, which includes information on bite prevention strategies”.
“This information has already been shared with all sports and it will be continually updated prior to departure for the Olympic Games.”
UK sports bodies invested a record £197.9m of broadcast revenues over the last year to grow their sport and support grassroots delivery.
Read more
To mark the Alliance’s 90th anniversary, we are launching the Community Sport and Recreation Awards: Youth Edition 2025, which will celebrate the next generation of young leaders from across the sector.
Read more
As 2024 concludes and as we look ahead to 2025, the Alliance has published a message to members and partners.
Read more
Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!
Register now
