British Government Rejects Advice from the British Olympic Association Doctor

On Tuesday, British Government rejected the advice of the Olympic team medical officer, of avoiding handshakes during the Olympic Games in London.

The British government was perplexed after Dr. Ian McCurdie, medical director of the British Olympic Association, said that athletes should avoid any physical contact to receive opponents and dignitaries during the Games because they could spread germs.

“It goes without saying that everyone should wash their hands often to keep them clean and prevent the spread of germs (…) But there is no reason for people not to shake the hand during the Olympics,” said Department of Health in a statement.

British athletes commented on McCurdie’s statements:

Zac Purchase Twitter account

Rower Zac Purchase wrote in his Twitter account “(about the recommendation) (…) Tho bit pointless unless u r going to run around with disinfectant 4 every surface you come into contact with,” while the triatlonista Hollie Avil, who had to withdraw from the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008by a virus infection, joked: “Team GB ‘should avoid handshakes’ maybe I shook too many hands in Beijing…

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