Mo Farah says he is focused on racing and not the Zika virus
By Claire Corkery
Last Updated: 29/05/16 9:56pm
Mo Farah has insisted he is not anxious about the Zika virus and will be taking his family with him to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this summer.
The reigning 10,000m world champion said he will be focusing on preparing for the Games rather than worrying about health problems that might arise from competing in Brazil.
"Before the London Olympics there was a lot of things said like 'they weren't ready and the traffic was going to be bad' and there was none of that. It was the best Olympics ever," the 33-year-old said.
"All I know is my family and I are all going."
Farah was speaking in Eugene after winning his fifth career 10,000m race at the Prefontaine Classic on Friday.
Earlier that same day an open letter, signed by 150 doctors and scientists, called on officials to move the Games over worries about the Zika virus.
The letter, addressed to the World Health Organisation, expressed concern that officials are not protecting the public against the dangers posed by the virus.
"I don't think they will do that," Farah said of moving the Games.
"As an athlete I don't want to think about anything other than I am going to be racing. My first race is the 18th of August. I need to concentrate and that is it.
"At the end of the day, things will take care of itself."
Zika can cause microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with unusually small heads and brains.
It has also been linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, conditions which affect the nervous system.
Nearly 1,300 babies have been born in Brazil with microcephaly since the mosquito-borne Zika began circulating last year.
WHO have since rejected the idea of moving or re-arranging the timing of the Rio Olympics.
They said earlier this month that the Olympics and Paralympics, set for August 5 to September 18, "will take place during Brazil's wintertime when there are fewer active mosquitoes and the risk of being bitten is lower".
