In the weeks prior to flying out to Brazil the UK press were
continually debating the dangers of the mosquito-born Zika virus. All GB
athletes heading out for test events or pre Olympic training have been given
comprehensive instructions to cover up and religiously use repellent. I arrived
slightly concerned about this risk and naively expected to see immediate warnings
or evidence or this disease.
Speaking to locals it is certainly something they are aware
of, and naturally concerned about, yet in their opinion it seems to pose a much
lower a risk than our press have lead us to believe. I spoke to several
Brazilians and most of them were not even aware of any friends or relatives who
had experienced the virus. In their view Dengue fever is still equally dangerous,
the only difference being the danger of Zika for pregnant women. Despite my
religious use of repellent I frustratingly came home with a handful of bites, I
now have to wait for the incubation time to pass and hope I am safe.
Last week saw one of the largest meetings in national hunt
racing calendar which culminated in Gold Cup day. The Cheltenham festival saw a
record number of cameras and journalists attend the final day; largely thanks
to an Olympic cyclist. The headlines were stolen by Victoria Pendleton who
after less than a year of riding managed to complete the Foxhunter race and
finish a respectable fifth. She proved her critics wrong and with it has
brought new fans and followers to the world of horse racing. I can understand
the cross over from cycling to riding, the equal need for strong leg and back
muscles, a stable core and some serious guts. I know this from the reverse
experience when I moved from horse riding to cycling. Sadly though, I think I
might have left it a little late in my career to reach the top of the two
wheeled sport.
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