Eugenie Bouchard Concerned About Zika Scare; May Pull Out of Rio

The mosquito-transmitted Zika virus, linked to birth defects, is cause for concern for the 22-year-old.

World Number 41, Eugenie Bouchard fears fallout from Rio because of Zika Virus. (Photo: PTI) 

Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard remains undecided about whether she will play in the Rio Olympics, barely two weeks before they are scheduled to begin. Fears about the Zika Virus may prevent her from participating in what would be her first Games.

I don’t know what I’ll do at this point. Maybe I’ll make the decision next week.

Eugenie Bouchard, World Number 41

The mosquito-transmitted Zika virus causes severe illness and has been linked to birth defects, a factor causing the 22-year-old the greatest concern.

The world’s top four men’s golfers, paced by Australian Jason Day, have withdrawn from Rio and several top tennis players have followed, including Romania’s fifth-ranked Simona Halep, Czech Tomas Berdych and Bouchard’s compatriot Milos Raonic, fresh off his own Wimbledon runner-up effort.

(Photo: AP)

I see more and more people drop out. Some golfers pulled out, the high profile ones. This gets you thinking.

Eugenie Bouchard

(With Inputs from PTI)