WATCH: 'ZIKA! ZIKA'! How stadium full of angry Brazil fans heckled US women's soccer team goalkeeper

New Delhi: Participating in a sporting contest at an away ground can be intimidating affair.

Rival fans often devise chants to get under the skin of opposition players.

US goalkeeper Hope Solo found herself on the receiving end of a rather unique but equally harrowing experience in Belo Horizonte during the ongoing Rio Olympics.

The incident was noticed in the women's football event when USA took on France. Every time the goalkeeper collected and kicked the ball, the entire stadium shouted 'ZIKA! ZIKA' in unison.

The reason behind this taunt dated back to the time when Solo posted a rather controversial picture on Instagram before leaving for Rio.

She posed covering a face, holding a insect repellant in hand. 'Not sharing this!!! Get your own! #zikaproof #RoadToRio' was the accompanying caption.

The obvious reference was to the perceived threat of  Zika virus in Rio.

Not sharing this!!! Get your own! #zikaproof #RoadToRio

A photo posted by Hope Solo (@hopesolo) on Jul 21, 2016 at 7:57pm PDT

USA goalkeeper joked about Brazil being dangerous due to Zika. Every time she hit the ball, Brazil fans scream ZIKA. pic.twitter.com/zdZnVYqV4R — Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats2) August 7, 2016

The heckling actually began in the game against New Zealand and intensified during the contest against France.

On both occasions however, Solo held her nerve and produced clean sheets in USA's wins.