Nigeria quits Youth Olympics over Ebola

BEIJING: Nigeria has withdrawn from the Youth Olympics in the Chinese city of Nanjing, state media reported Saturday, as four African nations battle the worst outbreak of the Ebola virus in decades.
Nigeria's decision was confirmed by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Nanjing, China's official Xinhua news agency said.
"We feel sad for the athletes as it will be extremely difficult for them," Bach said of the Nigerians, Xinhua reported. "They already felt the excitement of living in the Village and now they have to leave -- that's a very difficult task."
The IOC had said Friday athletes from Ebola-hit countries would be barred from competing in pool events and combat sports.
The decision, which affects three athletes whose names and nationalities were not identified, was made "to ensure the safety of all those participating", the IOC and Chinese organisers said.
The World Health Organization said Friday the death toll from the worst epidemic of the disease in four decades has climbed to 1,145 in the afflicted countries, according to a news agency.