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The German Olympic Sports Confederation's leading doctor,
Bernd Wolfarth, told Reuters, however, it was up to the athletes
themselves whether they attended.
"Apart from the fact athletes decide for themselves and freely
whether they will compete or not, one must now follow the
development (of the virus) very carefully," he said.
The mosquito-borne virus, which is widespread in Brazil and has
been linked to birth defects, has prompted concern among
athletes and sports officials around the world as they prepare
for the Aug. 5-21 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Kenya caused a stir on Tuesday when the head of its Olympics
committee said the team might withdraw from the Rio Games
because of Zika, but officials said later it was too soon to
decide on the impact of the virus.
Earlier on Wednesday, Toni Minichiello, the coach of reining
heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill, said Britain should move
its preparation camp for the Rio Games outside Brazil and that
he would not encourage his client to defend her title.
There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, so combating the
outbreak is focused on eradicating mosquito populations and
preventing mosquito bites.
(This version of the story was refiled to edit the headline.)
(Reporting by Thorsten Severin; Writing by Karolos Grohmann;
Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
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