Michael Phelps has no worries about fiancée, son going to Rio Olympics

Despite an outbreak of the Zika virus, Michael Phelps says his fiancée and newborn son will accompany him to the Rio Olympics.

Nicole Johnson is due to give birth to the couple’s first child in May. She is with Phelps this week at the Arena Pro Series meet in Orlando (NBC Sports Live Extra, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. ET), one of the key tuneup events for the Olympics that begin Aug. 5.

Zika has become an epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean since last fall. The virus is mainly spread through mosquito bites and has been potentially linked to birth defects.

“We’re not worried about it,” Phelps said. “I think if you go into any Olympics, there’s always something that comes up.”

Of course, it would be a different story if Johnson was scheduled to deliver after the games.

“If she was pregnant, she definitely wouldn’t go,” Phelps said. “But she’s fine about it. She’s not missing it. And I wouldn’t want the little guy to miss it either. He won’t be able to remember it. But he’ll have a story to tell.”

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