Keeping Olympic athletes safe: How 5 countries are mitigating Rio health hazards

By Katy Galimberti, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

July 6,2016; 9:49PM,EDT

The upcoming Rio Olympics have presented no shortage of health concerns for top athletes from around the globe.
From the Zika virus to contaminated waters, conditions in Rio have brought up major health concerns leading up to the event. While some high-profile athletes backed out of the games altogether, others are taking the precautions needed to attempt to stay healthy throughout the competition.
Here's what five countries are doing to keep their athletes prepared:
In this June 1,2015, file photo, a discarded sofa litters the shore of Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo, File)
1. USA
Water athletes will compete in polluted waters during the 2016 Olympics, despite promises from Brazil's government to make the water safe.
Boathouse Sports, the manufacturer for the U.S. rowing team's uniforms, announced that they will provide anti-microbial suits that are like a "second skin" in order to prevent any illnesses or diseases due to the contaminated waters.
The athletes will wear the suits for training leading up to the games. If the entire team prefers the new high-tech suit over the thicker, traditional suit (also made to be anti-bacterial), they will wear the new design. The entire team has to agree to wear the same garment, according to the Associated Press.
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2. South Korea
Athletes from South Korea will stroll through the opening ceremony on Aug. 5 in long pants and long sleeves, covering as much skin as possible.
The outfit will also be infused with repellant in an attempt to ward off Zika-carrying mosquitoes.
South Korean Olympic athletes and models present the South Korean Olympic team uniforms for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games at Korean National Training Center in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, April 27,2016. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
3. Ireland
While the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and Brazilian officials stress that Zika is not a major threat to spectators or athletes at the games, Ireland has specific instructions for their athletes in order to avoid the disease.
Irish athletes have been ordered to return home as soon as they complete their respective events in order to mitigate potential Zika risk.
Team Ireland's chief medical officer, Sean Gaine, told the Sunday Times that athletes are more likely to let their guard down and not take proper precautions after their events conclude.
4. Spain
Spain is hoping to keep their athletes safe with more than 3,000 bottles of mosquito repellant at this summer's games.
According to the Associated Press, Spain's Olympic Committee reached an agreement with Omega Pharma to provide the athletes with its strongest repellent for the entirety of the event.
5. Great Britain
For British athletes, avoiding Zika mosquitoes will require a minor relocation during the games.
The athletes will live on the third floor and higher in Olympic Village accommodations to avoid being bit by a Zika-carrying mosquito, the Mirror reported. Mosquitoes that bite humans typically fly lower than 25 feet.
The lower floors will instead be used for storage and office space.