If she had to decide today, Hope Solo would not attend Olympics because of Zika virus

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- The Olympics are still six months away, but soccer star Hope Solo says if she had to decide today she would not attend due to Zika virus fears.

"If I had to make the choice today, I wouldn't go," the U.S. national team goalkeeper told SI.com.

"I would never take the risk of having an unhealthy child," Solo said. "I don't know when that day will come for Jerramy and me, but I personally reserve my right to have a healthy baby."

The world's best known Olympic historian says it will take something more destructive than the Zika virus to cancel the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

David Wallechinsky tells The Associated Press that "the only time the games have been cancelled is in war — World War I and World War II. Other than that, nothing has done it."

Wallechinsky says "it's pretty late to move the games, so I'm sure they'll go forward" and open Aug. 5.

Brazil is the epicenter of the rapidly spreading mosquito-borne Zika epidemic, which is also generating rumors that South America's first games may be called off.

Brazil's sports minister says that canceling the games "is not in discussion," and Rio organizers and the IOC have repeatedly shot down the notion it's even being considered.

"No athlete competing in Rio should be faced with this dilemma," Solo told SI.com. "Female professional athletes already face many different considerations and have to make choices that male professional athletes don't. We accept these particular choices as part of being a woman, but I do not accept being forced into making the decision between competing for my country and sacrificing the potential health of a child, or staying home and giving up my dreams and goals as an athlete. Competing in the Olympics should be a safe environment for every athlete, male and female alike. Female athletes should not be forced to make a decision that could sacrifice the health of a child."