SHELAYNA OSKAN-CLARKE and Morgan Lake are not worried about the Zika virus whilst competing for Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Zika virus is spread by daytime-active mosquitoes and the infection may result in rapid-onset muscle weakness.

The virus can also spread from a pregnant women to her fetus resulting in birth defects.

The WSEH Athletics Club pair have been reassured by medics that preventions are in place, and are keen to put the risks to the back of their minds.

Oskan-Clarke told the Observer: “The Olympics is the pinnacle of your sport and you’ve sacrificed four years of your life to get there, so it will be at the back of your mind so long as you take all the best methods of prevention.

“I’m sure I will be okay and I’m just thrilled to be going to the Olympics. I’ve not been worrying about the Zika virus.”

Lake commented: “I’m not really worried about it because the medical team has reassured us that preventions are in place to make sure we don’t fall ill. It will be winter as well so that will help.”

A decision to ban Russian athletes from Rio 2016 over an alleged state-sponsored doping regime was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday.

Russian track and field athletes will remain banned from the Olympics, and Lake wants everyone to compete on a level playing field.

“I just hope they sort it out so you know you’re competing against clean athletes at their physical best,” she said. “You want as clean a sport as you can to make sure everyone is on a level playing field.”

Oskan-Clarke added: “Obviously this is incredibly disappointing. I just have faith in our anti-doping system, they will make the right decisions for our sport going forward."