USA Swimming Moving Olympic Training Camp From Puerto Rico to Atlanta Due to Zika Virus

Photo Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

USA Swimming has elected to change its 2016 Rio Olympic Training Camp from Puerto Rico to Atlanta due to the Zika virus scare according to the Associated Press.

The AP reported the following just minutes ago:

Frank Busch, the national team director, sent out a letter Thursday to all national team athletes and coaches telling them of the change.

“I think it’s the prudent thing to do,” Bob Bowman, who coaches 18-time gold medalist Michael Phelps, told The Associated Press.

The U.S. team is still scheduled to hold a training camp in San Antonio from July 11-21.

After that, the team had been planning to make a stop in Puerto Rico for several more days of training before traveling on to Rio de Janeiro, where the Olympic swimming competition begins Aug. 6.

This move follows Major League Baseball also moving regular-season games out of Puerto Rico due to worries about the Zika virus.

“The health and safety of our athletes is USA Swimming’s primary priority and responsibility,” USA Swimming spokesperson Scott Leightman told the AP.

The camp will now be held at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center.

Full Frank Busch Letter:

Hello National Team Athletes and Coaches,

As part of our preparations for the Olympic Games this summer, we have been closely monitoring the current situation with the Zika virus. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and other health experts in the field of science and medicine, our athletes would be highly exposed to the Zika virus in Puerto Rico.

USA Swimming’s most important priority is the health and safety of our Olympic Team. With this information, the National Team Division has decided to relocate the second camp to Atlanta, GA. Many variables were considered in selecting this location: flight time to Rio, time zone, facility and hotel availability, and training camp atmosphere. The team’s first camp will remain in San Antonio, TX.

We will also educate Olympic Team members about Zika and provide them with multiple tools to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos while in Rio.

Our partners at Marriott helped us greatly in this transition process and we know the new location will meet our needs. Team culture is one of the things that sets Team USA apart. We want to make sure our camp creates that unity as we head into the Olympic Games.

Keep training hard and we’ll see you in Omaha next month!

Frank

Full AP article.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

12 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Katie Crider

7 years ago

So we’re moving training camp and going ahead with the Olympics? ?

Noelle Tolbert

7 years ago

But we are going to compete in Rio. Stupid.

Bill Bell

7 years ago

Strikes ne tge safest, mist effective course if action us to not only mive training camp,out of Puerto Rico but also mive the Olympic swimming competition itself.

Perhaps the UC!A Men’s Gym pool would be a good site for ALL USA swimmers to race in and USC’s ” dungeon” for thevrestbof the rest of the world!

Right, Coach Daland?

Carlos Gonzalez

7 years ago

I live in PR and still don’t know a single person that. Has contracted zika. About 100 cases in a 3.5 million residents please

Joy Hamborg

7 years ago

Cade Cox

Chip LoverLou

7 years ago

Samantha Stallings

Vilma Corres

7 years ago

My question???? What are you going to use as a bathing suit in Brazil??? Please advise the people of your new discovery in anti-mosquitos clothing!!!! With this and other similar ridiculous decision you has prove the ignorance of some people… Please close Disney World.. Since in Florida you have Zika and you will receive a lot of Puertorrican’s families for vacation…

Milly

7 years ago

I live in Puerto Rico, and there is not any case of Zika…. I am really curious who is spreading that false accusations

Nicole Papsco

7 years ago

Rorie Papsco

7 years ago

Reply to Nicole Papsco

Hmmm

Julie

7 years ago

Maybe move the Olympics to Atlanta… they have all the facilities!

Anna Pascual

7 years ago

I’m sorry but the stupidity of the U.S. Olympic committee knows no bounds. Cancel a few days training in Puerto Rico because of a few cases of Zika but think it’s quite alright to spend a week or so in Rio where Zika is growing and much more dangerous.
To be honest with you, I know they “publicly” told the athletes to stay home if they feel uneasy about it but I imagine they probably feel like they’re being pressured into going.