'I think it's just better that I watch from home': Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn says she WON'T be going to the Rio games due to Zika fears

  • Skier Vonn, 31, has represented the US at the Winter Olympics since 2002
  • But she says she won't spectate at the Summer Olympics because of Zika
  • And even if she were competing, she's not sure if she'd go to Rio
  • However, she says she will still cheer on the US from the safety of her TV
  • The Zika virus has been linked to microcephaly in newborn babies
  • It is spread by mosquitoes found across Brazil  

By James Wilkinson For Dailymail.com

Published: 20:09 EST, 12 July 2016 | Updated: 04:10 EST, 13 July 2016

Gold-winning Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn has admitted that she won't be going to the Summer games in Rio, Brazil this year because she's scared of contracting the Zika virus.

Minnesota-born Vonn, 31, who won one gold and three bronze medals at the 2010 Olympic games, told People magazine that she would watch the sports from the safety of the US.

'I was going to (go),' she told People Tuesday, 'but I think with the Zika and everything, it's probably just better that I watch from home.'

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Champion: Gold medalist Lindsey Vonn has represented the US at the Winter Olympics since 2002 - but says she won't spectate at the Summer Olympics in Rio next month because of the threat of the Zika virus

Champion: Gold medalist Lindsey Vonn has represented the US at the Winter Olympics since 2002 - but says she won't spectate at the Summer Olympics in Rio next month because of the threat of the Zika virus

Uncertain: Vonn, who was born in Minnesota, says she's not even sure whether she would attend Rio if she were scheduled to be a competitor there, but says she will certainly cheer on the US from home

Uncertain: Vonn, who was born in Minnesota, says she's not even sure whether she would attend Rio if she were scheduled to be a competitor there, but says she will certainly cheer on the US from home

Vonn, who has represented the US in the Alpine Ski World Championships since 2005, and at the Winter Olympics since 2002 - with a break due to injury in 2014 - says she's not even certain she would attend as a competitor.

'I'm not sure, honestly, what I would decide,' she said. 

'I think I would still go, but that would definitely be in the back of my mind throughout the entire two weeks of the games. It's definitely tough for the athletes, for sure.'

The Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, has been linked to microcephaly - abnormally small heads - in children conceived or gestated within months of infection. 

It's not known whether Vonn is planning to have children, but concern about the virus has been widespread in the US, due to fears that it might be carried north from Brazil by mosquitoes.

Vonn said other athletes have mixed feelings about the risk of contracting the virus.

'Some people are [nervous], some people aren't,' she explained. 

'Definitely some sports are more at risk than others, but for the most part, all the Olympians are pretty excited about Rio despite everything.

'I think they're doing the best job they can to keep it safe for everyone, and I think it's going to be fine.'

Concerns: Rio (pictured) has been the subject of some concern by athletes due to the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been linked to abnormally small heads in newborns. It's not known if Vonn is pregnant

Concerns: Rio (pictured) has been the subject of some concern by athletes due to the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been linked to abnormally small heads in newborns. It's not known if Vonn is pregnant

Vonn's concerns about the Zika virus have been shared by other Olympians.

American cyclist Tejay van Garderen and Australian golfer Marc Leishman are among those who have said they won't represent their countries at the games because of concerns about Zika.

And yesterday Carly Patterson, one of the most decorated US gymnasts in Olympic history, said that she would give the games a miss this year.

Still, Vonn said she'll be cheering on her countrymen from her TV set. 'I love just watching people put their heart and soul on the line, and that's pretty much in every sport in the Olympics,' she said. 

'So it's just going to be fun to watch.'

Not competing: Carly Patterson, one of the most highly decorated US gymnasts in Olympic history, will not be competing in the Rio games this year - also because of fears about the Zika virus

Not competing: Carly Patterson, one of the most highly decorated US gymnasts in Olympic history, will not be competing in the Rio games this year - also because of fears about the Zika virus

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