Ebola: Youth Olympics ban

The world's worst-ever outbreak of the viral infection Ebola prompted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday to bar several as yet unnamed athletes from the crisis region from traveling to the Youth Olympics hosted by China.

In a joint statement, the IOC and Nanjing organizers said their decision was strictly precautionary. Athletes from western Africa competing in other sports would be allowed to take part, although they would be "subject to regular temperature and physical assessment."

The decision had been reached under guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), the IOC said. Some 3,700 competitors are due to compete in Nanjing from August 16 to 28.

"We regret that due to this issue some young athletes may have suffered twice, both from the anguish caused by the outbreak in their home countries and by not being able to compete in the Youth Olympic Games," the IOC and organizers said.

They did not reveal the nationalities and names of those denied Games' participation

Three among 25 athletes

Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and more latterly Nigeria have become the epicenter of the world's worst-ever outbreak of Ebola. Their team lists for Nanjing total 25 athletes.

Ebola has killed 1,069 people so far in western Africa and sparked international alarm, with several major airlines cutting flights to the region.

'Underestimated'

On Thursday, the WHO said the magnitude of the outbreak had been "vastly underestimated" and extraordinary measures were needed to contain the spread of the virus.

It causes bleeding and is fatal in more than half the cases of infection. Health officials in Liberia have received doses of an experimental treatment called ZMapp.

The 12-day Youth Olympics enables novice athletes aged between 15 and 18 to gain experience, with some also hoping to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

ipj/pfd (AFP, Reuters, AP)