Vijay Singh withdraws from 2016 Rio Olympic Games due to fears over Zika virus

FIJI’S former world number one Vijay Singh will not compete at the Rio Olympics, officials in the Pacific island nation have confirmed amid his concerns about the Zika virus.

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 16, 2013 shows Vijay Singh of Fiji teeing off during the third round of the Australian Masters golf tournament at the Royal Melbourne course in Melbourne. Fiji's former world number one will not compete at the Rio Olympics, officials in the Pacific island nation said on April 14, 2016, with reports saying he was concerned about the Zika virus. / AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

FIJI’S former world number one Vijay Singh will not compete at the Rio Olympics, officials in the Pacific island nation have confirmed amid his concerns about the Zika virus.

Golf Fiji said the three-time major champion had informed them he would not be attending the Games in August.

“I can confirm that is the case,” spokeswoman Ofa Swann said.

meanwhile, Golfchannel.com quoted the 53-year-old as saying he felt bad about not attending but was concerned about Zika and wanted to concentrate on the PGA Tour.

“The timing of it, you know I have to focus over here,” he said. “I would like to play the Olympics, but the Zika virus, you know and all that crap.”

The Rio Olympics are being staged against a backdrop of fears about the mosquito-borne Zika virus, with thousands of cases reported in Brazil.

Earlier this week, US health authorities confirmed long-held suspicions that it causes birth defects, including microcephaly, a defect in which babies are born with unusually small heads.

Meanwhile, London 2012 gold medallist Greg Rutherford has decided not to take his partner and young son to the Games because of the dangers the virus poses.

The Olympic long jump champion’s partner Susie Verrill had planned to travel with 18-month-old Milo to Brazil this summer and watch him attempt to defend the title he won at London 2012.

“It might be that not many people get the virus but it could also be that a lot do. We’re not prepared to take that risk,’ Rutherford said.

“It’s a shame because there’s a chance this might be my last Olympics depending on how my body performs over the next couple of years and it would have been lovely to have the whole family out there.

“But we have concerns about how dangerous it is. Susie and I would like to have more children and if she caught Zika, you don’t know how long you’d have to wait (before becoming pregnant) and we don’t yet know the real long-term effects of it.

“Even with myself, after I’ve competed I’ll do the media obligations and come straight home.”

Originally published as Vijay Singh withdraws from 2016 Rio Olympic Games due to fears over Zika virus