Growing concerns over the Zika virus threat at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games swimming pool have not fazed Australian gold medal favourite Cameron McEvoy.
Known as "The Professor", physics major McEvoy says it is up to Australia's Rio Olympians to educate themselves on the virus risk before deciding whether to contest the 2016 Games.
Australian golfer Marc Leishman has already withdrawn his availability due to Zika concerns while fellow no-show Adam Scott reckons the risks are not being taken seriously enough.
Favourite to win the 100m freestyle gold medal at Rio, McEvoy said there was information out there to settle athletes' nerves ahead of the 2016 Games - they just had to find it.
"In this day and age with the internet it is really down to the individual on how educated they want to be," he said.
"Regardless of what any organisation does I still think everyone should have a personal responsibility into what they are getting into.
"If someone is genuinely worried about it the best thing to do is do your own research."
Australian Olympic team boss Kitty Chiller said athletes had a "minimal" risk of contracting Zika virus at Rio if they followed chief medical officer David Hughes' preventive measures.
"I have full confidence that if our team members follow those guidelines that there is minimal risk," Chiller said.
McEvoy said he had no problem with the Rio swimming venue being open to the elements, despite hearing rumours of a mosquito infestation at the warm-up pool.
"Being at the Gold Coast with outside pools I have swum through thousands of Christmas beetles and mosquitoes," he said.
"I am fine with having a bit of nature in there."
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