Athletics: Jessica Ennis-Hill's coach Toni Minichiello wants British Olympics camp moved from Brazil

Jessica Ennis-Hill's coach Toni Minichiello has called for the British Olympic Association to move the preparation camp for the Rio Olympics to a zika-free zone outside Brazil.
Toni Minichiello and Jessica Ennis-HillToni Minichiello and Jessica Ennis-Hill
Toni Minichiello and Jessica Ennis-Hill

Minichiello wants to speak to British Athletics performance director Neil Black about switching the camp from Belo Horizonte following an infestation of mosquitoes transmitting the zika virus in the municipality.

Some health experts in central America believe that women should not get pregnant until 2018 because of the risk of serious birth defects from the virus.

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Minichiello revealed he will be putting no pressure on Ennis-Hill to compete in Rio and told The Times: "Coaches have a duty of care and I certainly would not be encouraging an athlete to go anywhere that could have long-term effects. We should be looking at finding a camp that minimises the risk.

"Coaches spend their lives trying to get athletes as healthy as possible. We have to try to minimise the risk, and that might mean flying in as late as possible."

However a BOA representative insists the plans of the governing body are unaltered, saying: "Our plan remains unchanged and on course for both the preparation camp and the Games."