Usain Bolt not worried about Zika, claims that he’s too fast for mosquitoes
Usain Bolt, the world record holder in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, made controversial comments regarding Zika virus in Brazil ahead of the Olympics.
On the Today show, Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, said that he’s not worried about the outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil, the site of the 2016 Olympic Games. Less than three months remain until the Games, which begin on Aug. 5 and conclude on Aug. 21.
“Hopefully, by the time I get there, they’ll have it under control,” Bolt told NBC’s Peter Alexander. “I’m sure they’ll put things in place to sort it out. So I’m not really stressed right now.”
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EXCLUSIVE: @usainbolt not worried abt Zika/mosquitos. Why? “‘Cause I’m fast. They can’t catch me.” @TODAYshow pic.twitter.com/eCmeY3CIhp
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) May 18, 2016
Explaining his reasoning, Bolt added that it’s because he’s fast and that they can’t catch him. The primarily mosquito-borne virus is a concern ahead of the Olympic Games as the disease, among other things, has been known to cause severe fetal brain defects during pregnancy, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Alexander framed the question by asking Bolt, “Why are the mosquitoes intimidated by Usain Bolt?”
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A number of people expressed their concerns on Twitter in regards to Bolt taking a light-hearted approach when asked of the Zika virus.
@PeterAlexander @usainbolt @TODAYshow This is so dumb. Zika is serious. Don’t make it a joke.
— Carol Ann Brown (@AnnMcbro) May 18, 2016
Usain Bolt’s comments on Zika on NBC’s Today Show hard to believe. Clearly meant as joke – but what a stupid, irresponsible thing to say.
— Harry Reekie (@HarryCNN) May 18, 2016
Some athletes have expressed concern about the virus in the lead up to the Games while committees have cited Zika as a potential reason to forgo the Olympics entirely.
Bolt began his 2016 campaign last weekend at the Cayman Invitational in the Cayman Islands with a win in the men’s 100m. The Jamaican is the world record holder in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay and is a six-time Olympic champion.
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