Brazil minister says no plans to cancel Rio Games

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil's sports minister says the possibility of canceling the Rio de Janeiro Olympics because of the outbreak of the Zika virus "is not in discussion."

Sports Minister George Hilton said in a statement Thursday that "the Brazilian government is fully committed to ensure that the 2016 Rio games take place in an atmosphere of security and tranquility."

Brazil is the epicenter of an outbreak of the Zika virus, which the World Health Organization has called "an extraordinary event and public health threat."

Health officials are investigating whether there is a link between Zika infections in pregnant women and a rare birth defect.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said this week he was "very confident" the games would take place.

The games open August 5.