“The reason for my decision is my concerns about the possible transmission of the Zika virus and the potential risks that it may present to my wife’s future pregnancies and to future members of our family,” the Australian said in a statement, posted on Twitter.
— Jason Day (@JDayGolf) June 28, 2016
With this announcement, Mr. Day becomes the sixth athlete and fifth golfer to pull out of the games because of the mosquito-borne virus.
Zika virus can be spread sexually and has been linked to birth defects like microcephaly. All of the athletes who have pulled out of the Olympics due to Zika concerns so far have been male.
Not everyone is supportive of the golfers’ decision to not compete — according to the New York Times, Barry Maister, an International Olympic Committee member, called their decisions “appalling” during a radio interview. “I don’t like it, and I don’t think the sport should be allowed to continue in the games under that scenario,” he said.
More articles on Zika:
Researchers report successful Zika vaccine trial in mice
House Zika bill blocked by Senate Democrats
CDC official: Zika is the ‘most difficult’ emergency response ever
