AP Investigation: Filthy Rio water a threat at 2016 Olympics

Paratriathlete stands on the shore of the Copacabana Beach during a training session, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, July 31, 2015. Rio’s historic sewage problem spiraled over the past decade as the population exploded with numerous metropolitan area’s 12 million residents settling in the vast slums that ring the bay. “That’s my plan”.

Normally, venues only test for bacteria – but Rio’s waters will be tested for viruses as well after an AP report showed “high counts of viruses directly linked to human sewage in the Olympic waters”. His wife Alesandra is a native of Rio, and he has a 9-year-old daughter Marie.

“I’m a father myself”, Sowrey said.

“I want to make sure everyone who goes out in the water is safe”, Peter Sowrey added.

The Associated Press analysis of water quality showed dangerously high levels of viruses and bacteria from sewage in venues where about 1,400 athletes will compete in water sports at the Rio Games, which open in a year — August. 5, 2016.

Bacterial tests also found significant levels of faecal coliforms in one of Rio’s rivers, which might suggest the presence of cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and typhoid.

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.

“Our waters comply with national and worldwide standards”. “However, they can’t influence things any other way”.

Officials with the global Triathlon Union may consider pushing for expanded testing of Rio’s waters, said Shin Otsuka, executive board member out of ITU.

Costa Rican triathlete Leonardo Chacon said he doesn’t do anything differently to protect his body before going into the water in Rio, but plans to take anti-parasitic pills after he leaves to make sure he doesn’t get sick.

In March, Rio’s Mayor Eduardo Paes confirmed to Brazil’s SporTV that Guanabara Bay, where the sailing events are supposed to occur, would not be fully cleaned up by the time the Olympics kick off next summer. “I think it’s a lost opportunity”.

So far, neither the IOC nor the sailing federation has said who would do their testing. “My job it to make sure something actually happens and it’s not just talk, and someone is actually walking the walk”.

Sowery said he received a call from a woman who wanted reassurance that the ISAF was giving the right guidance to her child and others competing in an Olympic sailing test event this month in Rio.

“The information we have is that it’s safe to swim”, said Amanda Duke, team manager for the U.S. paratriathlon team.

ISAF is in continuous discussions with Brazilian authorities in preparation for the Olympic Games, and has been given reassurances on pollution and objects in the water, in and around the race area of Marina da Gloria and Guanabara Bay.

“He said it would be “‘heartbreaking” to sail outside the bay and lose the postcard backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain, which will be a focus of television coverage.

Sailors were concerned with objects that may interfere with racing during the Olympic Games, and in response the state government launched a tender of up to $11million Dollars for 17 ecobarriers to be put in place.

At the center of the controversy is the virus load carried in the waterways in which swimmers, rowers, canoeists, sailors and triathletes will compete. “We have to follow the best expert advice”.