IOC to test Rio’s Olympic water venues for viruses

Rio de Janeiro’s state environmental agency declared some waters near the swimming site unsuitable for bathing on Friday but the worries did not seem to bother most competitors.

U.S. triathlon could qualify up to three men for the 2016 Olympics but have no Rio medal favorites at this point.

True finished fourth in the London Olympic triathlon as Sarah Groff, married U.S. distance runner Ben True last year and was (a distant) second to Jorgensen in last season’s World Series standings.

The Brazilian government’s data on water pollution in Rio de Janeiro show water near where triathletes are preparing to compete this weekend is “unfit” for swimming.

“Being an outdoor sport, being on the sea and being on the streets, it’s really important for us to see that if it works on paper it also works in reality as well”, said Gergely Markus, sports director at the global Triathlon Union.

‘The health and safety of the competing athletes is paramount and responses have been implemented from concerns raised by both Member National Authorities (MNAs) and sailors from previous events including the 2014 Aquece Rio, the first of two sailing test events that was held in August 2014.

While the exact location from which water samples were taken is unknown, nor the tidal times, the AP reported virus levels were very many times greater than levels at which health authorities around the world close waterways citing health concerns so it seems quite possible that Plan B will have to come into play for the Olympic sailing regatta.

“We’re going to find someone who can do the testing for us that can safely cover what we need to know from a virus perspective as well as the bacteria perspective”, Peter Sowrey, chief executive of the ISAF, said.

“WHO has also advised the IOC to widen the scientific base of indicators to include viruses”, the statement said. “That’s my plan”.

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – An abandoned drainage pipe sits on the edge of polluted Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The AP investigation also showed venues for triathlon and open-water swimming off Copacabana Beach are filled with bacteria and viruses that pose a threat to athletes and tourists. Many experts say viruses are a far bigger problem and need to be monitored.

Athletes said they were unconcerned by the levels of pollution. “Ultimately too much money has been invested”.

When Rio was awarded the Olympics in 2009, it promised cleaning its waters would be an Olympic legacy.

Even Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduatdo Paes having admitted an opportunity “has been missed”.

Additionally the thousands of sailing hours spent by Olympic hopeful’s familarising they with the flat waters of Guanabara Bay will have been for naught.