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Spanish high-jumper Beitia confident Zika no risk in Rio

Xinhua, February 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Spanish high-jumper Ruth Beitia said on Thursday that the prevalence of the Zika virus in Brazil would be resolved by the time the Games begin in August.

Speaking in Spanish sports paper, Diario AS, Beitia commented that he virus "the presence of the Zika virus in the Rio Olympics is a bit scary," and it "makes you think a bit."

However, she added that the virus was "not especially worrying and I think that everything will have stabilized when the Games start."

The 2012 and 2014 European Champion, who is looking to compete in her fourth Olympic Games, also showed her confidence in the organizers of the event, saying she didn't believe that the "International Olympic Committee would allow the Games to go ahead if there is the risk of a pandemic."

Beitia was speaking the day after Spain's top swimmer Mireia Belmonte commented she would consider not travelling to Rio if there was a risk of being infected by the Zika virus.

"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. Endit