What’s in Rio’s water? AP explains tests — AP Investigation

Through Associated Press’ investigation, an analysis of water quality revealed hazardously elevated levels of bacteria and viruses due to human waste at the Olympic and Paralympic venues.

One expert in risk assessment for waterborne viruses, Kristina Mena, estimated that by ingesting just three teaspoons of this water, athletes run a 99% risk of falling ill.

This is the first independent comprehensive testing for both virus and bacteria at the Olympic sites. The athletes, who are training in Rio, have reportedly fallen ill with fever, diarrhea and vomiting.

These ailments could knock an athlete out for days, potentially curtailing Olympics dreams and the years of hard training behind them.

“We’ve spent a lot of time there the past few years and haven’t had any issues with the water”, said Railey.

What’s more, people are already swimming in these waters.

“We know we are exposed to viruses, maybe to health problems later, but in my case, I have invested so much to prepare myself for this and I want this to happen because I can’t recuperate this investment any other way other than competing and winning the points that I need to win”. “It’s always one day completely in bed and then usually not sailing for two or three days”.

Rio is infamous for its water being contaminated by untreated human sewage, which often causes young children to develop infectious diarrhea for years (until their bodies develop enough antibodies).

Commenting on the reports, marine biologists John Griffith said that these water site were only raw sewage nothing else. Competition venues are stretched across a quadrant of concentrated competition zones: Barra (Olympic Park), Copacabana (water sports), Maracana (Olympic Stadium), and Deodoro (various indoor and outdoor sports). In June, it was slightly above the limit. But the government does not test for viruses.

In this April 28, 2015 photo, Fernando Spilki, virologist and coordinator of the environmental quality program at Feevale University, holds up a water sample, backdropped by the Marina da Gloria, Zone 2, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“There are concerns about water pollution in Guanabara Bay, as we’ve been well aware of for several years”, Adams said.

Brazilian officials have given assurances that water quality will be safe for Olympic athletes, and the IOCs’ medical director said all was on track for providing safe competing venues.

“This is being taken extremely seriously because athletes’ health is extremely important”. “Washing your hands is an extremely important part of reducing the risk of infection of any sort”, he said.

The Brazilian Intelligence Agency will also set up in the Olympic city a center dedicated to combat terrorism, where it will receive the help of intelligence agents from numerous countries.

“What you have there is basically raw sewage“.

“Prime beaches remain deserted because the surf is thick with putrid sludge, and periodic die-offs leave the Olympic lake littered with rotting fish”, ESPN added. Currently, officials there test the waters for bacteria, but do not test for viruses-bad news for the almost 1,400 athletes who will compete in sailing, swimming, canoeing, and rowing there.