FAYETTEVILLE -- Former Arkansas NCAA champion Sandi Morris isn't going to miss out on pole vaulting at the Olympics because of concerns about the Zika virus.

Morris is among 18 current or former Razorbacks competing at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, which has experienced an outbreak of Zika, a virus carried by mosquitoes and linked to birth defects.

"There's been a lot of hype about the Zika virus," Morris said. "But the fact is it's winter down there right now, so the mosquitoes are actually not at their peak and going crazy."

Morris said she's followed the recommendations of the U.S. team's medical staff regarding vaccinations, has plenty of insect repellent and will avoid areas with high populations of mosquitoes.

[ARKANSANS IN RIO: Full coverage of 23 in Olympics]

"I'm not going into the Amazon Jungle or anything like that," she said. "I think that it's good to be careful, but I'm not going to obsess over it."

Dominique Scott, a four-time NCAA champion for the Razorbacks who will run the 10,000 meters for South Africa in the Olympics, married Cameron Efurd earlier this year.

"My husband and I are not wanting to get pregnant any time soon, so we're not too worried about it," Scott said of the Zika virus. "Definitely, we need to be careful.

"I've had a lot of vaccines and taken malaria medication. I'll be using bug spray and staying out of areas that are close to still water, and when we get back, I'll definitely get tested and do whatever I can to make sure that I'm healthy.

"But I can't worry about it too much. This is my dream to go and represent South Africa at the Olympics."

Stacy Lewis, the former Razorback NCAA golf champion ranked No. 7 on the LPGA Tour, is marrying Gerrod Chadwell today. The couple will have their honeymoon in Rio de Janerio, where Lewis is playing for the U.S. team with golf returning as an Olympic sport for the first time since 1904.

Lewis told The Associated Press she has given much consideration to the Zika virus concerns.

"I talked to a lot of different people and basically went into the conversation thinking in my head, 'OK, give me a reason why I shouldn't go,' " Lewis said. "And none of those people ever gave me a reason why I should not go."

Chris Johnson is one of three Arkansas assistant track and field coaches going to the Olympics, along with Bryan Compton and Travis Geopfert.

"We're going to take all the necessary precautions and look forward to having a great time," Johnson said. "We're not going to worry about the Zika virus."

Geopfert probably summed up the attitude best for the Razorbacks' contingent and other athletes and coaches.

"We're all going to the Olympics if we have the opportunity," he said. "We're not going to not go."

Sports on 08/06/2016