Athletes from Ebola-Stricken Countries Banned from YOG Events

(ATR)Athletes from Ebola-stricken countries in West Africa are barred from competing in combat and water sports at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

A wrestler from Nigeria and a Guinean judokaand swimmer were all prohibited competing at the Games. The opening ceremony is on Saturday.

Earlier this week,Sierra Leone's National Olympic Committee claimed its delegation was asked not to travel to China by the Chinese embassy due to Ebola fears. Liberia has also withdrawn from the YOG.

Around the Rings understands athletes from Nigeria and Guinea will take part in the opening ceremony, but it is not decided how else they will be able to participate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports over 1,069 deaths in West Africa have been linked to the outbreak. Overall, approximately 1,251 cases of the virus have been confirmed.

The outbreak of Ebola has hit Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. As of Wednesday, the CDC reports Guinea is the worst affected with 377 deaths and 510 suspected and confirmed cases.

On Friday, the IOC and Nanjing 2014 issued a joint statement on their decision to bar the athletes from competing at the Games. The decision was reached after "working closely" with the World Health Organization and Chinese authorities.

"We have been reassured by the health authorities that there have been no suspected cases and that the risk of infection is extremely unlikely," the IOC and Games organizers stressed.

Athletes from countries affected by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa will be "subject to regular temperature and physical assessment throughout the period," the statement continued.

"Chinese authorities are fully prepared should any outbreak occur."

Recognizing the difficulty the situation, the statement said "some young athletes may have suffered twice, both from the anguish caused by the outbreak in their home countries and by not being able to compete in the Youth Olympic Games.

"The athletes who have not been able to participate will also receive in the near future an invitation from the IOC and the organizing committee to come to Nanjing to take part in a sporting competition and to experience the welcoming atmosphere and spirit of the city and Jiangsu province."

Written byNicole Bennett

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