Rory McIlroy has decided to represent Ireland in the Rio Olympics this summer despite his concerns over the Zika virus outbreak.
After he won the Irish Open two weeks ago, McIlroy said he was considering skipping the Olympics because he wants to start a family with his fiancee Erica Stoll at some point in the near future. The Zika virus is transmitted through mosquitoes and can cause serious birth defects and other complications.
On Wednesday, McIlroy declared himself “ready to play” in Rio after learning more about Zika.
“I feel like the advice I’ve sought out over the past 10 days has put my mind at ease and makes me more comfortable going down there knowing that, even if I do contract Zika, it’s not the end of the world,” he said, via Ryan Ballengee of Devil Ball Golf. “It takes six months to pass through your system, and you’re fine.”
McIlroy said he feels more comfortable now knowing that there is testing for the Zika virus.
“You can get tested for it, and it’s either a yes or a no you’ve had it,” he said. “It’s a virus. It works its way out of your system, and you become immune to it.”
The Zika virus certainly does not sound fun. An MLB pitcher recently opened up about contracting it in his home country of Venezuela over the offseason, and it took him two months to fully recover.
Like McIlroy, Pau Gasol recently revealed he may skip the Olympics due to Zika concerns.
