Jamaica's Kemar Bailey-Cole reveals he has contracted Zika virus
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 25/06/16 3:45pm
Sprinter Kemar Bailey-Cole has revealed he has contracted the Zika virus, but says he still plans to compete at Jamaica's Olympic trials.
The Commonwealth 100m champion ran his personal best of 9.92 seconds last summer and is set to battle the likes of Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake for places on the team in Rio when the trials begin on Thursday.
"Recovering is not easy because, as we speak, the rashes are still on my body. My eyes hurt, but the best thing is that I am not feeling any muscle pain at the moment," the 24-year-old told the Jamaican Gleaner.
"I didn't know I had it (Zika) until I went to get a haircut. After cleaning up, my girlfriend realised a bump was on my neck, which was a lymph node.
"I was experiencing back pains and muscle soreness, but I thought it was just soreness from the exercises I was doing. It is very disappointing."
Bailey-Cole, who won Commonwealth gold in Glasgow two years ago, is also an Olympic and world 4x100m relay gold medalist.
Fears over the Zika virus have dominated the build-up to the Rio Olympics, with Rory McIlroy pulling out of the Games earlier this week.
