American cyclist Tejay van Garderen has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Rio Olympics amid concerns that he may contract the Zika virus and pass it along to his pregnant wife.
Van Garderen is believed to be the first athlete to back out of the Summer Olympics because of the mosquito-borne illness. USA Cycling spokesman Kevin Loughery confirmed the decision and told The Associated Press on Thursday that van Garderen is the only athlete that has withdrawn from consideration for the U.S. cycling team.
USA Cycling is expected to announce its road team June 24.
Garderen, a member of the 2012 Olympic team, would have been a likely choice for one of the two U.S. spots. The 27-year-old Tour de France veteran is a strong time trial rider and his climbing ability would have been well-suited to the hilly course at the Rio Olympics.
Van Garderen’s wife, Jessica, is due in October.