Hope Solo CHESTER, PA – OCTOBER 26: Hope Solo #1 of the United States walks on the field prior to the game against Costa Rica in the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship final on October 26, 2014 at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
OlympicsBy Ben Sieck on

The countdown to the Rio Olympics is now measured in days and athletes competing in the games are getting their bags packed. For many athletes, this means more than just packing the necessary outfits. After months of well-documented concerns over the Zika virus, Olympians are rightly taking precautions to avoid catching the mosquito-carried disease. Some more than others, as demonstrated by Hope Solo.

The U.S. goalkeeper evidently decided the chance to win a third Olympic gold medal was too great an opportunity to pass up for health concerns, but that does not mean she is not taking the threat seriously. By the looks of her Twitter page, Solo is packing enough bug spray to kill every mosquito south of the equator.

While her offer to her fellow Olympians is surely backed by goodwill, that does not mean Solo is not looking out for No. 1. She’s keeping the best defenses for herself.

Solo has been one of the staunchest critics of Olympic officials’ handling the Zika concerns leading up to the Games. She told CNBC in May that, “No athlete should be put into this position — to decide between your Olympic dreams and your own health.” And in February, she was so conflicted she was leaning towards skipping the Games altogether.

The goalkeeper ultimately settled on a compromise. She would play for the U.S. for a shot at a fourth-straight gold medal, but she only plans to leave her room for games and practices.

Solo has good reason to exercise caution. Zika is not necessarily a life-threatening disease to its initial host. However, the virus can lead to birth defect microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities in babies. If Solo is planning on having kids anytime soon, this disease represents a frightening risk.

Though based on her Twitter page, it looks like Solo is ready for whatever Brazil can throw at her.

[For The Win]

About Ben Sieck

Ben is a recent graduate of Butler University where he served as Managing Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Butler Collegian. He currently resides in Indianapolis.

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