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IOC president confident of athletes' safety in Brazil

Brazil

The International Olympics Committee, IOC, president says he is confident in the measures Brazil has taken to curb the spread of the Zika virus infection ahead of the olympic games.

The IOC president, Thomas Bach, welcomed the World Health Organization no travel ban decision and maintained the Rio de Janeiro games will not be adversely affected.

Bach said he was confident that athletes would feel safe traveling to Brazil.

“We are in contact not only with the WHO but also with the organizing committee, we are in contact with all the 206 national Olympics committees around the world. They, in turn, are in contact with the national health authorities and all this makes us very confident that at the time of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro there will be good conditions for all athletes and all spectators,” Bach said.

WHO declared the Zika virus infection a global public health emergency on Monday.

“We welcome this decision by the World Health Organization (WHO) because it helps raise even more awareness and to provide even more resources to fight the virus.

Brazil has stepped up efforts to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds and fumigating various areas including some Olympic designated sites ahead of the games.

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