EXCLUSIVE: Is anyone going to the Olympics? Now Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman are the latest to snub the Rio games

  • James Bond actor Daniel Craig had been due to be Omega 'brand ambassador' at the Games but is now not attending
  • The actor was one of the faces of the London Olympic Games in 2012
  • At the time, he appeared with The Queen in a film for London's Opening Ceremony
  • Nicole Kidman, 49, the Australian Oscar winner, is also a brand ambassador for Omega and has said she will not be traveling to Brazil
  • But Omega ambassador Eddie Redmayne and his publicist wife Hannah Bagshawe have decided to attend the games
  • However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have decided not to fly to Rio because of Zika 
  • On top of the financial and health worries, Rio has had to contend with a number of problems in completing the venues on time

By Shekhar Bhatia In Rio De Janiero, For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:46 EST, 4 August 2016 | Updated: 17:31 EST, 4 August 2016

James Bond star Daniel Craig and Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman are the latest stars to turn down the Olympic city and Zika crisis hit Brazil.

Craig, 48, was one of the faces of the last Summer Olympic Games in 2012 when he appeared with The Queen in a film for London's Opening Ceremony.

He was shown apparently parachuting with The Queen from a helicopter above the London Olympic Stadium.

He had been invited to Rio by Omega, the watchmakers who produce the watch worn by James Bond in the movies, and it was reported that he would be attending.

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James Bond actor Daniel Craig, who appeared with The Queen in a film for London's Opening Ceremony, had been due to be Omega 'brand ambassador' at this year's Olympic Games but is now not attending

James Bond actor Daniel Craig, who appeared with The Queen in a film for London's Opening Ceremony, had been due to be Omega 'brand ambassador' at this year's Olympic Games but is now not attending

In the 2012 Olympics, Craig appeared in a film which saw him and The Queen apparently parachuting out of a helicopter together into the Olympic stadium

In the 2012 Olympics, Craig appeared in a film which saw him and The Queen apparently parachuting out of a helicopter together into the Olympic stadium

But the 007 actor, twice married and who has a teenage daughter, has told the Swiss company that he will not be attending the games.

Kidman, 49, the Australian actress who won an Oscar for playing Virginia Woolf in The Hours in  2002, is also a brand ambassador for Omega and has said she will not be traveling to Brazil.

A source said their absence was 'more likely to be down to their busy filming and work commitments'.

But the games have been hit by a number of withdrawals by top athletes and sporting stars in the run up to the troubled games which are unveiled tomorrow with a budget-hit Opening Ceremony.

The Zika virus has kept many top athletes away including world number-one golfer Jason Day of Australia and other top players like Rory Mcllroy and Vijay Singh.

Top US basketball stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry also bailed, but neither cited Zika as being behind their decisions.

Nicole Kidman, 49, the Oscar-winning actress who is married to country star Keith Urban, is also a brand ambassador for Omega and has said she will not be traveling to Brazil

Nicole Kidman, 49, the Oscar-winning actress who is married to country star Keith Urban, is also a brand ambassador for Omega and has said she will not be traveling to Brazil

Basketball stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry - seen clashing in game six of the NBA champsionship which James' Cleveland Cavaliers won - are also skipping the Games, but did not say Zika was the reason for their absence

Basketball stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry - seen clashing in game six of the NBA champsionship which James' Cleveland Cavaliers won - are also skipping the Games, but did not say Zika was the reason for their absence

Omega ambassador Eddie Redmayne and his publicist wife Hannah Bagshawe  have decided to attend the games

Omega ambassador Eddie Redmayne and his publicist wife Hannah Bagshawe  have decided to attend the games

They were joined by American cyclist Tejay van Garderen, who did blame Zika fears.

Former LA Galaxy soccer star David Beckham is also thought not to have decided to travel to Brazil, said a source.

He and his wife Victoria, the fashion designer, have been reported to want a fifth child.

But Omega ambassador Eddie Redmayne, the Oscar-winning actor and his publicist wife Hannah Bagshawe have arrived in Rio. The couple had their first child, daughter Iris Mary, in June. 

However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were prominent faces at the London 2012 Olympics, have decided not to fly to Rio.

Prince Harry, who is a keen sports fan and earlier this summer traveled to Florida for the Invictus Games at Orlando has also declined an invitation to the Olympic games this year.

Harry and the Duke and Duchess were prominent faces at the London Olympics.

Former LA Galaxy soccer star David Beckham (pictured with wife Victoria) is also believed to have skipped the Olympics

Former LA Galaxy soccer star David Beckham (pictured with wife Victoria) is also believed to have skipped the Olympics

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have decided not to fly to Rio. They did not say why but were huge presences at the 2012 Games in London along with Prince Harry 

Watching on television: Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will not be at the Rio Games but enjoyed watching a series of events at the London 2012 Games

Watching on television: Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will not be at the Rio Games but enjoyed watching a series of events at the London 2012 Games

The British royal family have not explained the reason for the princes and the duchess not attending. 

On top of the financial and health worries, Rio has had to contend with a number of problems in completing the venues on time.

With 24 hours to go before the Opening Ceremony, construction workers are still busy putting the finishing touches to facilities and there has been a less than enthusiastic response from the Brazilian public for tickets, which were sold out at London 2012.

Traffic problems are worsening in Rio following the opening of the exclusive Olympic lane for dignitaries, athletes, officials and media.

The arrival of the Olympic torch in the city was met by protesters and a demonstration is threatened for the Opening Ceremony at the Maracana Stadium, where soccer star Pele is set to be the main performer.

Rio has also had to add to its security budget with the threat from ISIS terrorists, following the arrests of alleged supporters in the weeks before competition begins.

The games are also reeling from a dire warning by Brazilian World Cup-winner Rivaldo, who urged tourists to stay away from the Olympics in Rio because of the dangers of violence.

The scene at the rowing venue on Wednesday where workmen had still to complete parts of the venue. The water contains human waste and athletes have been warned not to swallow it

The scene at the rowing venue on Wednesday where workmen had still to complete parts of the venue. The water contains human waste and athletes have been warned not to swallow it

Construction in the Port of Rio de Janiero where - in the distance - the USA men's basketball team are staying on a luxury cruise liner. Building work is still under way in the city

Construction in the Port of Rio de Janiero where - in the distance - the USA men's basketball team are staying on a luxury cruise liner. Building work is still under way in the city

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