Rio Olympics haunted by Zika virus scare

We are not going to risk taking Kenyans there if this Zika virus reaches epidemic levels: Kenya

Sports authorities across the world are scrambling to find out more about the spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in Brazil as they make plans for August's Rio Olympics.

Below are the latest announcements:

AUSTRALIA

Australia's Olympic Committee said no athletes have indicated they intended to withdraw, but it would "totally understand" if they did.

BRITAIN

British Olympic Association Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe said none of the country's athletes were reluctant to go.

But British rower Andrew Triggs Hodge said his wife Eeke would not accompany him because of the "very real and frightening threat" posed by Zika.

JAPAN

Japan's Olympics Committee Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda said no athletes were thinking of "boycotting the Olympics".

KENYA

Kenya threatened to pull its elite runners and other athletes out of the Rio Olympics unless it got assurances they would not be exposed.

"Obviously, we are not going to risk taking Kenyans there if this Zika virus reaches epidemic levels," said the head of Kenya's Olympics committee, Kipchoge Keino, himself a Kenyan running great.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand's Olympics Committee issued a warning to its athletes and officials of the risks.

Any competitors who decide to opt out would receive the committee's "absolute support", a committee spokeswoman said.

UNITED STATES

The United States Olympic Committee told sports federations that athletes and staff concerned for their health should consider not going to the Games.