Hope Solo expressed compunction about playing in the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro this August because of the threat of the Zika virus, but it appears she has decided to play for Team USA.
“If I had to make the choice today, I wouldn’t go [to the Olympics],” Solo said back in early February.
Two months later, Solo has decided to play with the US. She said in a statement to SI’s Grant Wahl that she has done her research and will join the team for the Olympics. However, she said she was “disheartened” with the IOC and called their actions “irresponsible.”
Hope Solo has decided to go to Olympics despite Zika virus. pic.twitter.com/PDqMR0c6b2
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) April 14, 2016
Solo, who is married to former NFL player Jerramy Stevens, was concerned about the effects Zika can have on pregnancies. Though she is not pregnant, she did not want to take any risks as she explores the possibility of one day starting a family with Stevens.
Solo has been on the senior national team since 2000. She has been the team’s starting goalie since after the 2004 Olympics and has led the team to two gold medals and a World Cup.
