Hot Fashion for S. Korea's Olympic Team: Zika-Proof Attire

Training, ceremonial clothing for Rio Games to be 'impregnated' with chemicals
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 27, 2016 2:29 PM CDT
Hot Fashion for S. Korea's Olympic Team: Zika-Proof Attire
At the Korean National Training Center in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, South Korean Olympic athletes and models present the South Korean Olympic team uniforms for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.   (Lee Jin-man)

South Korea's Olympic committee on Wednesday unveiled Zika-proof long-sleeved shirts and pants it says will help protect the country's Olympic athletes from the mosquito-borne virus at this year's games in Rio de Janeiro, the AP reports. The sets of clothing will be impregnated with mosquito-repellent chemicals and will be worn by athletes during ceremonies and training and at the athletes' village, the Korean Olympic Committee says. The committee notes it couldn't make changes to the uniforms worn during competition because of strict rules and performance concerns, although athletes will be allowed to use spray during competitions.

Brazil has been fighting to stem the spread of the Zika virus, which is known to cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly, a condition in which a baby's head is significantly smaller than normal. The threat of Zika has emerged as a major concern in the buildup to this year's Olympics, along with construction delays and the political turmoil in Brazil. A team of South Korean government and Olympic officials visited Rio earlier this month to inspect Olympic venues and local hospitals that could treat the infected. The KOC says it expects to soon provide guidelines to Olympic athletes and others traveling to the 2016 Games about how to protect themselves from Zika. Meanwhile, on Wednesday the US team revealed its outfits for the closing ceremonies outfits, and it doesn't seem as worried: The men and women will wear shorts. (US athletes have been advised to stay home if they feel uncomfortable going to the 2016 Games.)

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