US cyclist withdraws from Rio consideration citing Zika (The Associated Press)

American cyclist Tejay van Garderen understands the chances that he might contract the Zika virus at the Rio Olympics are minimal, and that precautions could be taken to further reduce the threat. Van Garderen withdrew his name from consideration for the road cycling team Thursday, making him perhaps the first athlete to back out of the Summer Games because of the mosquito-borne illness blamed for causing birth defects including microcephaly, in which the baby’s brain does not develop properly. ”I don’t want to risk bringing anything back that could potentially have an effect,” van Garderen said in an email to The Associated Press.