James Harden and Russell Westbrook are latest NBA stars to opt out of Olympics

NBA Superstar guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook has decided not to participate in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Westbrook and Harden join the growing list of players who have opted out of Rio.  That includes NBA MVP Stephen Curry and Clippers stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.

They have not specifically mentioned Zika as the reason for staying home, but they have mentioned health reasons as one of the main concerns.

Harden said, “As a result of many difficult conversations with my family, the Rockets, and trusted advisors, I’ve notified Jerry Colangelo and Team USA that I will not be competing at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Brazil.  This decision was a painstaking one that I did not take lightly.”

Officials in Brazil think the outbreak will be under control once the winter hits and the temperatures cool down and the mosquitoes begin to die off.  Some officials had suggested moving the Olympics to the winter, but that is not going to happen.