The threats of Zika and the general instability of Brazil have prompted 150 medical experts to sign a letter calling for the International Olympics Committee to postpone or move the Olympics from Rio.
One of the experts who signed this letter was medical ethicist Art Caplan. He joined Boston Public Radio to talk about why the Olympics should not be held in Brazil.
“I started yammering about moving this event back in February,” said Caplan. In addition to Zika, Brazil is facing major economic and political troubles, says Caplan. Venues haven’t been finished, sewage continues to pollute the water, and portions of the budget are being cut to help keep the Zika infected mosquitoes under control. “ The conditions there are bad,” said Caplan.
Despite the poor situation, the IOC has not given any indication that they will postpone or move the Olympics. “Do I really think they are going to postpone or move the Olympics no. There’s a ton of money here, huge commercial investments,” said Caplan.
Currently, the Center For Disease Control and the World Health Organization claim that it's safe to travel to Brazil for the games. Caplan pointed out that the IOC and the WHO are partners, but their partnership is not in any way nefarious or influencing the WHO’s decision to say Rio is safe for travel.
Caplan believes that the Olympic organizers should hold a forum where the athletes and trainers can decide if the games should be held in Rio. “It would be nice to have a more independent forum in addition to what the WHO wants to say,” said Caplan.
