Greg Rutherford 'freezes sperm' ahead of Rio Games over Zika fears

Greg Rutherford is freezing his sperm before travelling to Rio for the Olympics. Credit: Martin Rickett / PA Wire

Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford has frozen his sperm before travelling to the Games in Rio because of fears over the Zika virus, according to his girlfriend Susie Verrill.

Writing for the Standard Issue magazine, Ms Verrill also revealed that she will not be going to the Olympics, along with the couple's young son Milo, because of concerns about the virus.

At the end of May, more than 100 scientists and experts called for the Rio Olympics to be postponed or relocated over concerns that it would speed up the spread of the Zika virus.

But the World Health Organization said postponing the Games would not "significantly alter" the spread of the virus.

Greg Rutherford won Olympic gold in the long jump in London 2012. Credit: David Davies / PA Archive

Ms Verrill also outlined a number of other reasons why she won't be travelling to Brazil to cheer on her partner, including previous bad experiences with a child at big events, the "cost and logistics of travel", and needing to bid for tickets.

She added that many people will be surprised at how difficult it is for the families of athletes to get to watch them compete, but insisted she will be "no less supportive" from home.