Officials take precautions against Ebola virus at Youth Olympic Games

With the 2014 Youth Olympic Games scheduled to begin in Nanjing, China, on Saturday, reverberations from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa have caused several nations to withdraw and officials to announce a series of last-minute safety measures.

Nigeria said its 19-person delegation would be returning home without competing. Sierra Leone and Liberia had previously decided not to attend.

On Friday, the International Olympic Committee and organizers said they have enacted a series of precautions in consultation with the World Health Organization.

“We have been reassured by the health authorities that ... the risk of infection is extremely unlikely,” the IOC said in a statement.

Still, three West African athletes -- a wrestler from Nigeria and a judoka and swimmer from Guinea -- will not be allowed to compete. Other athletes from the affected region will be subject to frequent health assessments.

“We regret that due to this issue some young athletes may have suffered twice, both from the anguish caused by the outbreak in their home countries and by not being able to compete in the Youth Olympic Games,” the statement said.

The Youth Olympics are scheduled for Saturday through Aug. 28.