What? Why? When? How? WHO Says No
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. After a number of pleas from a number of leading individuals and publications to cancel, postpone or move the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim from Copacabana Beach, then the Brazilian organizers were recipients of a number of pleas from scientists and health experts to cancel, postpone or move the entire 2016 Rio Olympic Games because of the Zika virus in Brazil.
But the World Health Organization addressed the Zika issue (see here) and stated there is no public health justification for moving, postponing or canceling the 2016 Rio Olympics due to the Zika outbreak.
There is at least one individual who is linked by the two separate issues: Rowdy Gaines. The 3-time Olympic gold medalist and long-time NBC announcer will not only be one of the announcers for the 10 km marathon swim in Copacabana Beach, but Swimming World Magazine reports that the Zika virus has been linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome which Gaines has (see here).
Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff.
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