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Bryan brothers pull out of Olympics, won’t defend gold medal

Related Topics: The Bryan brothers, Mike Bryan

Bob and Mike Bryan have pulled out of the Rio Games, less than a week before they would begin defending their men’s doubles Olympic gold medal.

The brothers made the announcement on their Facebook page, citing their “family’s health,” but not directly the Zika virus, which caused many other tennis players and golfers to withdraw.

“After countless hours of deliberation Mike and I have decided to forego the Rio Olympics. Though we’d love to compete again, as husbands and fathers, our family’s health is now our top priority,” they wrote.

The 38-year-old identical twin brothers are the second-ranked men’s pair in the world.