The two Kenyan swimmers preparing for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro both have different targets when the competition starts after the opening ceremony today.

However, both have one thing in common - they have no fear of the much talked about Zika virus that forced many athletes, especially boxers, to pull out of the Rio Olympics.

“My aim is to improve my personal best time in the 100m breaststroke and make my country proud,” said female swimmer Talisa Lanoe, who arrived at the Games village on Tuesday from her base in the US.

The well-spoken California University student of International Business said she feels in good shape to lower her 1:07.06 record and the Olympics Games will provide a good opportunity for her to meet her target.

“My training has gone on well and I have worked on my speed with my coach Kathleen Prindle, and the results I have achieved so far in practice are very encouraging.

"That could not have come at a better time than when I am about to compete in the Olympics,” Lanoe told Feverpitch outside the Games Village yesterday.

 

PREGNANT WOMEN

On the Zika virus, Lanoe said she was not really concerned as she has done a lot of research on it and she felt she was not in any danger by competing at the Olympics.

“The Zika virus is mainly a danger to pregnant women and because I am not expectant I have no fear of the consequences of the virus and can now focus on achieving my goal at the Olympics,” Lanoe said.

She also said she was not at all concerned about the talk about pool waters being unclean as what she had heard from her friends was not all gloom.

“I am yet to get a taste of the pool but I don’t expect the worst. I am just hoping for the best,” she said.

Hamdan Bayusuf, the other Kenyan swimmer at the Olympics, said Rio 2016 would act as a stepping stone for the 2020 and 2024 games.

“My career has just picked up and I am happy to be at the Olympics and have no worries about Zika, but I will not put myself under pressure at these games. I believe I still have a long way to go,” Bayusuf, who will be taking to the pool on August 7, said.

He has, however, competed at global events such as the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, Africa Championships and All Africa Games. He also made his debut at the World Championships in Kazan, Russia, last year.