Pau Gasol to play in Rio Olympics despite Zika

MADRID - Chicago Bulls star Pau Gasol says he wants to play in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics despite concerns over the Zika virus.

The 35-year-old center announced in an article for Spanish newspaper Marca on Saturday that he's available for the Spanish national team in what will be his fourth Olympics.

"My commitment to the national team is greater than my fears over what might happen," Gasol told Marca, according to ESPN. "My feelings of passion and responsibility toward my national team, my sport and my teammates are huge. They have always been and always will be. My first instinct in that sense has always been to want to be with the national team each summer."

Gasol said last month he was considering not playing in Rio because there was too much uncertainty about Zika. He later said he was considering freezing a sperm sample.

The mosquito-borne disease has been linked to severe birth defects in infants born to infected women.

"I will be going hoping and trusting that the people and organizations will do everything possible and take measures to minimize possible risk to the athletes," Gasol said. "I have always had the doubt that they - so as not to put other elements of the event in danger - have not been mindful of the health and safety of the athletes and all those who will attend the Olympics in Rio - whether those people are athletes, accompanying family, friends or fans. It is a pity that [the situation] is like this."

Two-time silver medalist Gasol called Zika ''a serious issue'' and said it was his duty to make people aware of it.