Jamaican sprinter reveals Zika infection but is competing
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Jamaican sprinter Kemar Bailey-Cole says he has been infected with the Zika virus but will participate in his country’s Olympic trials next week.
The Jamaican Gleaner reported Saturday that the 24-year-old track star says he has rashes and eye pain but is not afflicted by the muscle pain often associated with the virus, which he caught in Jamaica.
Bailey-Cole won a gold medal in the 100-meter relay at the London Olympics in 2012.
His case comes amid rising concern among athletes over a surge in Zika infections in Brazil, where Rio de Janeiro will host the Olympics in August. Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, U.S. cyclist Tejay van Garderen and British long jumper Greg Rutherford have dropped out of the games citing Zika worries.
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