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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday they
had banned three west African athletes from competing in combat
sports and pool events in China as a precaution after the
world's worst outbreak of Ebola which has claimed the lives of
more than 1,000 people in the region.
IOC President Thomas Bach said on Saturday that following the
move, taken after discussion with the World Health Organisation,
the governments of Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone had opted
against allowing their athletes to compete in the 13-day
multisport event.
"Two NOCs (Sierra Leone and Liberia) decided together with their
government to not come here. We have to respect the decision of
the government in such a difficult moment for their country,"
the German was quoted as saying by China's Xinhua news agency.
"We also have been informed that the team of Nigeria wants to go
home. Obviously the Nigerian government has decided to send them
home.
"We feel sad for the athletes as it will be extremely difficult
for them. They already felt the excitement of living in the
Village and now they have to leave - that's a very difficult
task."
Xinhua also quoted an unnamed official of the Youth Olympics
Organising Committee saying they were "appreciative of and
grateful" that the trio withdrew.
"On behalf of other delegations and their athletes, I hereby
extend to them the heart-felt respect," the report said.
Organizers of the second Youth Olympics were also concerned
about adverse weather in Eastern China over the fortnight
disrupting competition for the athletes, who are between aged 14
and 18.
"There is the possibility the city could face frequent rainy
days, electrical storms and occasional occurrences of haze and
possibly typhoons," the Nanjing 2014 Meteorological Services
Command Centre said.
Dutton escaped the weather and haze concerns early on Sunday
morning as the 16-year-old rode a brilliant bike leg to force
American Stephanie Jenks in to second on her 17th birthday.
Dutton celebrated her win by taking a selfie with former fencer
Bach, who had called on athletes to snap pictures of themselves
throughout the Games to promote friendship in competition.
(Writing by Patrick Johnston; editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
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Youth
Games action starts without Ebola-struck nations
