Top Spanish swimmer to miss Rio due to Zika virus

Top Spanish swimmer Mireia Belmonte commented on Wednesday that she would consider not travelling to the Olympic Games in Brazil because of the risk of contracting the Zika virus.

Belmonte will be one of Spain's top medal hopes in Rio de Janeiro this summer after winning two sliver medals in London 2012, four golds and three silver medals in European Championships and nine goals and two silvers in European short-course Championships.

However, speaking at a publicity event in Spain she insisted that she put her health ahead of further Olympic glory.

"There is still a long way to go until the Games and things can change, but the important thing is to know that we are going to be safe and that our health is not being to be put at risk," said Belmonte.

Meanwhile the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) has sent a two-page document, drawn up by its Scientific Medical Committee, to Spain's various sporting associations giving advice over the precautions they should take when visiting countries affected by the Zika virus.

The document advises athletes to take preventive measures against being bitten by the mosquito which carries the virus. The majority of these are straightforward, such as wearing long sleeved clothing, long trousers and using large amounts of insect repellant which contain at least 50 percent DEET (N-dietil 3-metilbenzamide).

The COE also advises that the International Olympic Committee was going to "inspect on a daily basis and puddle or stagnant pond where the mosquito breeds to minimize the risk to athletes." Endit