There’s been no shortage of reports on athletes being concerned about possible health issues in Rio de Janeiro, including Pau Gasol considering the possibility of freezing his sperm and some teams receiving clothing meant to serve as a repellent of the Zika virus. However, the Australian women’s water polo team is currently dealing with a health issue the team picked up while training for the Olympic Games in Rome.
According to the Daily Telegraph four members of the team have the quarantined away from the rest of the squad after picking up a nasty virus while training in Rome before making the trip over to Rio. The four players were not identified in the story, but it does note that they are staying in quarters originally reserved for the Australian Olympic Committee and team officials.
Australia, which won bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, has hopes of at minimum returning to the medal stand in Rio. But this news throws a wrench in their pre-tournament plans, with their first match scheduled for Saturday. Australia is in Group A with hosts Brazil, Italy and Russia, with the Italians and Russians both qualifying through the Olympic qualifying tournament held in March in the Netherlands.
Australia is coming off of a third-place finish at last month’s FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final in Shanghai, China.
