Dodds, one of two New Zealanders in the men’s event, left for Rio from his training base in Spain yesterday.
The 29-year-old said being away from the Games and the athletes’ village up to this point had been a good thing.
"I would have loved to have been at the opening ceremony. That has long been a dream of mine, but the closing [ceremony] will have to do.
"In some ways, it is perfect to be removed from it a little over here [in Spain]. We don’t race for another week ... I can keep the nerves calm for now. Once we get there, it will be a circus, I’m sure."
Dodds will be joined by Ryan Sissons in the men’s race, two days before fellow Wanaka athlete Nicky Samuels, along with Andrea Hewitt, compete in the women’s race.
The New Zealand squad had been preparing carefully for the other challenges that the Olympic Games can bring, Dodds said.
"At the start of the year, Tim [coach Tim Brazier] and I sat down with Hamish Carter and he [Carter] kept emphasising that, once we are there, we will have a moment or two where it feels too much.
"We have a plan for each day, down to the detail of when I will have a coffee with another athlete or coach, sometimes just to keep busy. The first day I will enjoy it and soak it up, but then it is all focus."
With the hard work done, the next few days would be all about fine tuning.
"I don’t like too much of a taper. I like to keep the endurance up and keep the training ticking over.
"The big sessions are done, though, and we are happy with the way it has gone. I am in peak shape and everything is ticking along nicely."
Dodds, who has overcome a hip injury to qualify for Rio, acknowledged it had been a team effort to get him ready for the Games.
"Trust is a big part of those relationships. If I didn’t have that I, wouldn’t be here now.
"Tim was great. He kept me out of the loop on some things so I wouldn’t get caught up in it. He and physio Rone [Thompson] have worked together and done an amazing job, worked on a great plan and executed really well with the team at Tri NZ."
As for the race plan, Dodds was not giving too much away, other than to say an athlete in his position must have more than a few bases covered depending on how the race played out.
"The only ones to put a race plan in will be the Brownlees [British brothers Alistair and Jonathan] and then we do the best we can and react to the way it is unfolding.
"We have prepared for anything to happen, nothing will be a surprise. It is the one race where you have to put it on the line and risk it all."
