Pole vault champ struck by illness

Reigning Olympic pole vault champion Jenn Suhr has contracted a serious virus in Rio that could affect her jumping.

However, her husband and coach Rick Suhr tweeted that Suhr had no plans to withdraw from the competition which begins with the qualifying round on Tuesday.

"Jenn has fallen ill, quite ill in the last two days," Rick Suhr said.

"This morning it has really kicked in, she has lost her voice almost completely."

The 34-year-old American athlete picked up a virus in Rio and it has caused respiratory complications.

"Seems so unfair. We came here in the greatest shape of our life. Four years of total dedication eaten up in one nasty virus that is only getting worse," he said.