LONDON – Rio 2016’s battle to convince athletes and visitors that the city will be safe from Zika-carrying mosquitoes has led to it signing the Olympics’ first-ever insect repellent partner.
SC Johnson’s OFF! brand, a widely used repellent in Brazil, will have an official role at the games that begin Aug. 5, with thousands of bottles distributed to athletes, staff and volunteers as part of the agreement, according to a company statement. Several athletes, including some of the world’s most well-known golfers, have pulled out of the competition citing concerns about Zika, even after the World Health Organization said the risk of catching the virus during Rio’s winter months was low.
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