2016 Summer Olympics Venues Reportedly Have Highly Contaminated Water

Mike ChiariJul 30, 2015

Brazil is often lauded for its beautiful and pristine beaches, but the harsh reality is that athletes competing in outdoor water sports could be at risk during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

According to an investigative report by Brad Brooks and Jenny Barchfield of the Associated Press on July 30, Brazilian waters are polluted with viruses and bacteria derived from human fecal matter, which could lead to health problems for those who compete in them.

Continue for updates.

Canoeists Focus on Plant Issues in Rio Water

Friday, Sept. 4

Add canoeists to the list of athletes who have complained about the water conditions in Rio, according to Stephen Wade of the Associated Press (via Yahoo Sports).

"I think really the most important thing they have to do is to work with the plants,'' German canoeist Franziska Weber said. ''Because it's not fair. We work four years only for this moment, and to lose then because of plants—it's hard."

Weber described the water colors at the Olympic venue as "red and brown," while her teammate and 2012 gold medalist Sebastian Brendel put it bluntly: ''This is just a test, but for next year they must clean the water."

Meanwhile, International Canoe Federation Secretary-General Simon Toulson insists the weed problem will be cleared up in time for the Olympics next summer, according to Wade.

Korean Windsurfer Hospitalized After Rio Test Event

Wednesday, Aug. 19

Wonwoo Cho was taken to a local hospital after experiencing dehydration, vomiting, a headache and dizziness while competing at a test event in Rio de Janeiro, according to an Associated Press report (h/t USA Today):

"
The 20-year-old Cho on Wednesday was back to "50-60 percent" strength and out racing, 24 hours after his hospital stay. He said he doesn't know "the exact reason why I got so sick."
His coach has fewer doubts.
"Probably it's from the water," Danny Ok, Cho's coach and an exercise physiologist, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "It's kind of a sad story."
Ok described the bay as "smelly" and added: "I can't imagine how they can have racing in this area."
"

The report added that Cho was the fourth athlete to "officially" get sick at the event and noted that "officials acknowledge the reporting is incomplete, with many teams and some of the 300 athletes skittish about disclosing illnesses."

WHO Disputes IOC Claims Concerning Viral Testing

Friday, Aug. 14

The World Health Organization, via the Associated Press, says testing the water "would be advisable", despite the IOC claiming that WHO would only test for bacteria.

On Aug. 13, Matt Bonesteel of the Washington Post first reported the IOC would only test the water for bacterial contamination, following the World Health Organization's guidelines:

"
“WHO is very clear that bacterial testing is what should be followed,” said Olympic Games Director Christophe Dubi. “They have restated that bacterial testing is the measure that has to be used and will continue to be used by the authorities. … It is the best measure to be used.”
“We have also asked if with these measures and with this testing we can ensure the quality of the water for the athletes and preserving safety and the answer is yes,” he said.
"

Per the AP on Twitter on July 30, the odds of someone getting ill after ingesting water from the contaminated areas are extremely high:

In a follow-up report released on Aug. 10, Stephen Wade of the Associated Press revealed more than a dozen Team USA rowers became ill recently at the World Junior Rowing Championships:

"
Thirteen rowers on the 40-member U.S. team came down with stomach illness at the World Junior Rowing Championships — a trial run for next summer's Olympics — and the team doctor said she suspected it was due to pollution in the lake where the competition took place.
The event took place amid rising concerns about the water quality at venues for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, now less than a year away.
The Americans were by far the hardest hit at the regatta that concluded over the weekend, with reports of vomiting and diarrhea. Other teams in the competition reported some illnesses, according to World Rowing, the sport's governing body, but those were about as expected at an event that featured more than 500 young rowers.
"

According to Brooks and Barchfield, a big reason for the lack of action with regard to cleaning up the waterways is the fact that the Brazilian government and International Olympic Committee don't test for viruses. Partly because of that, the situation is so dire that Southern California Coastal Water Research Project marine biologist John Griffith doesn't envision the water being much safer by the time next summer rolls around.

"If I were going to be in the Olympics," Griffith said, "I would probably go early and get exposed and build up my immunity system to these viruses before I had to compete because I don't see how they're going to solve this sewage problem."

Some have already taken Griffith's advice, including Austrian sailor David Hussl, who admitted the contamination has taken a toll on him, per Brooks and Barchfield.

"I've had high temperatures and problems with my stomach," Hussl said. "It's always one day completely in bed and then usually not sailing for two or three days."

Not only are many athletes in line to potentially risk their health, but their chances of pursuing an Olympic medal could be ruined as well if they become sick during the Summer Games.

The IOC is already too deep into the process to make any type of significant change, which means several sports may have to take place in adverse conditions.

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