Chickenpox scare at athletes' village

Sydney: A chickenpox scare broke out in the Olympic athletes village on Saturday after a hurdler from Barbados came down with the disease.

Victor Houston, a 400 metre and 110 metre hurdles specialist was confined to his room after being diagnosed with the infectious disease in the village where more than 15,000 athletes, coaches and officials are packed together.

"The athlete has been fully isolated in the village," said a spokesman for the Sydney Olympic organisers.

But the spokesman played down fears that chickenpox may have spread around the village.

"It was diagnosed in the early stages and the risk of spreading the disease is considered to be minimal," the spokesman said.

The disease is only contagious for those who have never had it before.

An official with the Barbados delegation made light of the problem.

"Everything's fine," he said, adding that Houston was feeling well despite "one or two spots" and planned to resume training on Sunday.



(c) Reuters Limited.