British long-distance swimmer David Davies has more than just other swimmers to worry about at the Olympics - he is afraid of fish and his race is in a lake.

While swimsuit manufacturers have poured millions into developing a suit that mimics a fish, Davies likes to stay away from anything with scales and fins.

"If I saw a big fish, I'd be scared," he told WalesOnline (www.wales online.co.uk) yesterday.

"They're not human. They don't walk around. They're different," said Davies, who will swim in the 10km open water event at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.

It is unclear what types of fish might be lurking in the man-made lake but Davies said he was afraid when he took part in a 10km race in South Africa.

"I was very nervous about it," he said. "I actually said to (my coach): 'I'm getting out after 100m if there are fish in the water that I don't like.'"

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