Raonic and Halep withdraw from Rio tennis over Zika
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[July 16, 2016]
By Frank Pingue
(Reuters) - Wimbledon finalist Milos
Raonic and women's world number five Simona Halep of Romania have
pulled out from next month's Rio Olympics due to fears over the Zika
virus.
They, along with twice Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka,
who is pregnant, will not be making the trip to Rio even though they
were included in the final list of participants issued by the
International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Friday.
The big-serving Raonic, who lost to Andy Murray in the men's
championship match at the All England Club on Sunday, was the first
tennis player to pull out of the Aug 5-21 Olympics due to concerns
over the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
"It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my withdrawal from
participation in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games," world number seven
Raonic, 25, said in a statement issued by Tennis Canada.
"After much deliberation with my family and coaches, I am making
this decision for a variety of health concerns including the
uncertainty around the Zika virus."
The Zika virus, which the World Health Organization says is
spreading rapidly in the Americas, has been linked to severe birth
defects in infants born to infected women, and possible neurological
problems in adults.
Halep, who last month told Reuters she was "very worried" about the
long-term effects of the Zika virus, consulted with many doctors
before issuing her decision shortly after Raonic.
"I regret to announce that I have decided I will not compete in the
Olympic Games. The reason for my decision is the concern regarding
the danger posed by the Zika virus," Halep, a runner-up at the
French Open in 2014, said on her Facebook page.
"After several talks with doctors and my family, I concluded that
the risks are too high for my career and for my health, especially
as a woman. Family is much too important for me and I can’t risk not
being able to have one of my own after my career in tennis is over.
"I know the Olympics are a very important event and I truly regret
these circumstances. I hope the Romanian Olympic and Sports
Committee and all Romanians will respect my decision.
"I will continue to play, to proudly represent Romania in as many
tournaments as possible."
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Milos Raonic (CAN) in action during his match against Andy Murray
(GBR) on day 14 of the 2016 The Championships Wimbledon. Susan
Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Raonic and Halep joined a growing list of athletes to have pulled
out of the Rio Games over health concerns triggered by the outbreak
of the Zika virus in Brazil, including a number of high-profile male
golfers.
Belarussian Azarenka also robbed the Olympics of some star power as
the world number six said earlier on Friday that she will miss the
rest of the season because she is having a baby.
Raonic, beaten in the second round of the 2012 London Games by
Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, said he hopes his decision would not
influence others.
"This was a difficult, personal choice and I do not wish for it to
impact the decision of any other athlete heading to the Games," said
Raonic.
"I am very proud to have competed for Canada at the London 2012
Summer Olympics, and on the world stage at several Davis Cup events.
I look forward to cheering on Team Canada this summer."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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