I LOVE the Olympics!
Olympic Trials all over the Globe are wrapping up as countries put their final Olympic teams together and get set for competition.
Summer or Winter it does not matter it is the greatest sports show on earth and by FAR the BEST reality TV going.
But Rio is very different. We are not talking about being behind on the construction of venues or traffic concerns or lack of hotel space here.
We’re talking Full On Health Concerns and very serious safety issues.
Zika Virus, water pollution – super bacteria, political unrest and just last week the the Brazil Police “We will not be able to protect you”!
There have been some big names withdrawing from the Rio games and I think it may be just the start which is a very sad state of affairs.
To emphasize the seriousness of the situation, in late May 150 health officials & experts from around the world sent out a report to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) & The World Health Organization (WHO) urging them to postpone, move or cancel the games all together. The report read like a dire warning of bad things to come.
You can read the report here:
Open Letter to Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General, WHO
(Copied to the International Olympic Committee)
As sad as it is, I understand athletes withdrawing from these games.
The issues are real and there is real danger here.
In fact, in May, Major League Baseball cancelled games in Puerto Rico between the Pirates and Marlins due to Zika Virus concerns.
So, I ask you, if you were an athlete, coach or parent of an athlete do you:
Compete or Not Compete in RIO?
It’s a tough question but I’d like to hear your thoughts.
To help you in your decision, USA Today published a great summary of what we know 30 day out from the games. 30 Days from the Olympic Games
For me as an athlete – I’m all in!
I’d go!
The athletes are going to be safe and the competitions will go on without issue – I pray!
Now, I have no future plans of having kids which is a game changer -check out the effects of Zika on newborns in the USA Today Video that I attached. If I’m looking forward to having kids my mindset is TOTALLY different – I’m OUT. Check out video here, More Zika Information
And, as a spectator I’m OUT. TV coverage is so good now-a-days I’ll stick it out at home and watch 24 hours a day.
There are many factors to consider here.
Would you Compete or Not Compete?
Jeff
