ASN: Hope Solo, U.S. Girls Voice Issues About Rio

From safety issues to contaminated water to the Zika virus, quite a few potential hazards grasp over the 2016 Olympic Video games in Rio. The U.S. ladies’s nationwide workforce just isn’t proof against the distractions.

BY

John D. Halloran

Posted
August 01, 2016
4:25 PM

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LOOKING TO WIN its fourth straight Olympic gold medal, the US ladies’s nationwide workforce departed for Brazil this week forward of the Individuals’ event opener in opposition to New Zealand on August 3.

Rio Olympics going through ‘very large disaster’ as safety budgets are slashed https://t.co/chWYH6A5lA pic.twitter.com/Ws2jQk7bZQ

— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) June 28, 2016

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo addressed these considerations whereas talking to the media forward of the workforce’s pleasant in opposition to South Africa earlier this month in Chicago.

“Look, I’m going to deal with the hotels that aren’t five stars. I’m going to deal with being in Brazil and dealing with, perhaps, dirty water, or dealing with Zika,” mentioned Solo. “I made that call to cope with that, however I didn’t make the choice to cope with the dearth of safety. For me, that was type of like, sufficient is sufficient. We’ve got to be safe as athletes.

“We’re already putting ourselves in position to deal with Zika, to deal with a number of different issues and everything that’s going on in Brazil, whether that’s the President being impeached, or the police officers not getting paid. There’s so many things we already have to deal with, at least make sure the athletes are secure.”

Not sharing this!!! Get your individual! #zikaproof #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/y3d8hnuEjk

— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) July 22, 2016

In accordance with Solo, the safety considerations are elevated even increased as a result of reality the U.S. received’t be staying contained in the Olympic village. As a result of the majority of the Olympic soccer event is held exterior Rio—just one semifinal match and the ultimate are literally held within the host metropolis—Solo defined the workforce is counting on U.S. Soccer to maintain the gamers protected.

Officers with U.S. Soccer “are really looking into the security aspect in Brazil. Some of the players are worried a little about that, especially not being in the [Olympic] village. We want to be given the proper security,” mentioned Solo.

She later added, “I don’t think anyone is 100% feeling great about everything. I know that I’m not.”

Ellis addressed considerations in regards to the Zika virus forward of the U.S.’ match final week in Kansas Metropolis, noting that a number of companies are offering the American workforce with the knowledge and assets they want.

“We crossed that bridge a while ago,” mentioned the coach. “It’s ever-changing, the knowledge that’s popping out. We’re getting updates. We’ve had the CDC, we’ve had the USOC [talk to us], we’ve really been examined as a workforce as a result of they’re going to check us once we come again.

“We’ve had a lot of medical information shared with us. Ultimately, the players make that decision. Everybody’s feeling good about the things that we are doing. Unfortunately, it’s something that everybody in the world is going to have to deal with, it’s not just down there. It’s part of everybody’s life.”

Ellis additionally credited U.S. Soccer with maintaining her well-informed and defined that the workforce will stay centered regardless of the numerous distractions—each good and dangerous—that accompany enjoying in such an enormous event.

“When I see those [Olympic] rings down there, I know my team is going to be even more locked-in,” mentioned Ellis. “It becomes very real for them. Everything has been prep, it’s talked about, but now it becomes real. The ability for this team to zero in, to focus, to create this bubble around us, is exceptional.”

Ahead Christen Press admitted that she has thought in regards to the points going through the U.S. because it heads to Brazil, but in addition acknowledged she’s extra frightened about those that reside in Zika-affected areas.

“I think that we’re concerned about all of it, all the headlines,” mentioned Press. “On the identical time, it’s important to maintain it in perspective. Once I take into consideration Zika, I’m most involved with the those who don’t have the knowledge and the assets to assist themselves which are being affected proper now.

“That’s not necessarily us, going down with the best resources, the best people to help us. If something happens with Zika, then it will become my concern. But until then I really do spend more of my time worrying about the people I wish we would spend more resources toward helping.”

Press additionally argued that pre-tournament considerations are all the time a speaking level and that she feels protected because the U.S. heads to Brazil.

“Every time we travel abroad, every time there’s an Olympics, everyone’s talking about the same things. For me, I feel like I’m very blessed in this environment where I’m kept safe, for the most part, from a lot of these concerns,” mentioned Press.

“I trust the people that are helping us out and protecting us.”