Pau Gasol has become the latest athlete to register concerns ©Getty Images

Basketball superstar Pau Gasol has become the latest high-profile athlete to consider withdrawing from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games due to fears surrounding Zika virus.

Gasol, a two-time Olympic silver medallist and a six-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star, claims anyone attending the Games should "consider" whether to change their plans due to "uncertainty" surrounding the virus.

"It would not surprise me that some athletes chose not to participate in the Olympic Games not to put at risk to themselves and their families," the Chicago Bulls star said.

"I'm considering not to go the Olympic Games in Rio because of Zika.

"I feel responsible for informing and creating public awareness of something that is not reported enough." 

Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rejected calls this weekend from 150 international scientists, doctors and medical ethicists for the Games to be postponed.

Experts claimed the Olympics will quicken the global spread of the mosquito-borne disease, which has been linked with microcephaly - where babies are born with abnormally small heads because of restricted brain development - and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder which causes muscle weakness.

But the authorities claim the risk should be lower when the Games is held in the Brazilian winter, while they also claim that the risk is low so long as relevent precautions are taken.

Both the WHO and IOC insists that Rio 2016 will still be safe despite the Zika virus fears ©Getty Images
Both the WHO and IOC insists that Rio 2016 will still be safe despite the Zika virus fears ©Getty Images

Most athletes still intend to compete, claiming that the risk does not outweigh the opportunity to participate in sport's biggest event.

World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic believes cancelling the Olympics due to Zika would be "unthinkable".

Britain's world number two Andy Murray has vowed to speak to doctors and take their advice, but added that he "plans on playing for sure".

Two golfers in Fiji's Vijay Singh and Marc Leishman have already cited Zika when pulling out of the Games.

Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, and Britain's Danny Willett are among those who have also suggested they may not compete.

Gasol, who was part of the silver medal winning teams at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, already faced the possibility of missing Rio 2016 due to Spain being suspended by the International Basketball Federation in a dispute over their league participation.

This dispute has not been resolved, but there is no longer any danger of them missing the Games.