ZIKA worries

Brazil is at the centre of the outbreak that has spread to extra than 30 international locations. Researchers there are running to decide whether Zika has prompted a big upward thrust in cases of microcephaly, a beginning illness in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and can have developmental troubles.

"i am virtually concerned approximately the virus but i am taking it in my stride in the meanwhile," Neo, who were given married final October, introduced.

"The Olympics are still six months away so i will preserve monitoring the situation as we technique the games at the same time as continuing my education and education for the race.

"Of route i'm worried as it's far taking place in Brazil but i'm attempting not to worry too much. My gut instinct is still to go regardless and i would probable simplest alternate my thoughts if there was a journey advisory issued by means of the applicable authorities."

greater of a difficulty for Neo is the doping scandals which have brought about Russian athletes being banned from the Rio games, accusations of a cover-up inside the governing IAAF and current revelations casting doubts over the feats of file-breaking chinese distance runners.

"It makes me sad. I recognize numerous athletes and all of us educate in reality hard, i would say most folks are smooth but there are few black sheep inflicting the scandals that are bringing the sport down," she said ruefully.

"I think the industry is doing all it can to easy up the game. There are greater exams than ever earlier than, even when I certified for Rio they didn't just randomly choose six athletes like they'd inside the past.

"final year was the primary time that the pinnacle 10 finishers have been examined for unlawful capsules. I notion this become an awesome manner to allow the public recognize that 'howdy we are taking this actually seriously and aren't going to tolerate any doping'."