US goalkeeper Hope Solo has traveled a rocky road. But few doubt Solo’s courage and preparedness, her willing to give her all on the field. Sensitive Brazilians reportedly shouted “Zika! Zika!” and booed Solo during US Women’s National Team’s first game in Rio. The fans were reacting to some tweets and photos Solo posted in July joking about her preparation for the Rio Olympics. Solo posted photos of herself with insect repellent and a mosquito net over her face.
But the Brazilian fans who took offense at Solo’s humor fail to recognize that, unlike hundreds of athletes who opted to skip the games out of fear, Hope Solo is there. She’s in Brazil, competing for the gold, in the open air stadiums where the mosquito-borne danger is said to lurk. To expect an intelligent person not to take precautions — insect repellent for starters — is absurd. But it’s obvious that fears haven’t kept Solo from traveling to Brazil and doing what’s expected of her. That shouldn’t get her boos. It should get her cheers.
Not sharing this!!! Get your own! #zikaproof #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/y3d8hnuEjk
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) July 22, 2016
