2016 Rio Olympic Games

The statement came as worry mounted that the mosquito-borne virus, which has spread across much of Latin America and which can lead to severe birth defects in babies, might spread further when the Olympics begin in August.

"The Committee concluded that there is a very low risk of further international spread of Zika virus as a result of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as Brazil will be hosting the Games during the Brazilian winter," the WHO said.

The global health agency explained that the intensity of the transmission of viruses like dengue and Zika "will be minimal".

RNZI reports five countries qualified for the Rio Games at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships, which wrapped up in Suva at the weekend.

Samoa's haul of four gold, eight silver and four bronze medals helped them finish as the top-ranked men's team, despite Papua New Guinea topping the gold medal count with five.

New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Kiribati also qualified a male lifter for Rio.

The Jamaican sprint king had raised the prospect of prolonging his Olympic career in January after revealing that his coach Glen Mills had suggested his fitness would carry him through to Japan.

However Bolt said the curtain would come down on his Olympic career in this year's games in Rio de Janeiro, where he is targeting three more gold medals.