Instead of passing on the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro like some athletes scared about the Zika virus are expected to do, Greg Rutherford will simply freeze his sperm.
It sounds whacky but is very reasonable. The British long jumper is not risking being infected with the virus that can cause birth defects, therefore he and his wife will freeze some of his sperm before departing for Brazil.
His wife, Susie Verrill, who will not travel to Rio, wrote an article in London’s Evening Standard newspaper discussing the decision:
We’d love to have more children and with research in its infancy, I wouldn’t want to put myself in a situation which could have been prevented.
Specialists still also don’t know the ins and outs of Zika, so even though it looks as though there (are) no real issues should Milo (their son) get bitten, it’s just another thing we don’t want to chance.
After more than 100 medical experts stressed the Games should be moved to prevent the disease from spreading, this was a huge factor in us choosing to stay put.
Rutherford, the current European champion and defending Olympic champion, badly wishes his family could watch him compete in August but is willing to pay the small price to ensure his wife and son are not infected with the virus.
[CNN]
Photo: Mirror
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