The Olympics start tomorrow. And the water in which many events will be held is horribly polluted

[cali]

<snip>

But this treat for the eyes – which will make it the perfect backdrop for TV sports broadcasts – is sometimes so polluted with untreated human waste that it can also be an assault on the nose and the immune system, prompting a recommendation from the United Nations that competitors and spectators should spend as little time in the water as possible.

In its latest advice, the World Health Organisation said: “It is suggested that all athletes should cover cuts and grazes with waterproof plasters prior to exposure, try to avoid swallowing the water, wash/shower as soon as possible after exposure and, as far as possible, minimise their time in the water and avoid going in the water after heavy rainfall if possible.”

<snip>

“The water quality is shit because the sewage flushes in untreated. We all know that. No local would swim in it because we know we would get a disease,” said Alex Batista, a skateboard instructor who teaches on the Aterro do Flamengo, an area of reclaimed land between the bay and the city centre.

That popular wisdom has been reinforced by a series of studies in the past year, which suggest that Guanabara Bay – and other aquatic venues the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoa (rowing and canoeing) and Copacabana beach (triathlon and open water swimming) – are teeming with pathogens.

The Associated Press reported levels of bacteria and viruses so high that swallowing just three teaspoons of water from the bay was likely to lead to severe stomach and respiratory illnesses. Concentrations of adenoviruses were said to be thousands of times higher than the levels considered safe in the US or Europe.

<snip>

read:https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/03/pollution-fears-taint-rio-bay-olympic-games

[Snarkoleptic]

1. The volume of sewage is going to increase dramatically as athletes,

spectators, media and others continue to arrive. I hope nobody becomed seriously ill.

Still disappointed Chicago lost to Rio.

[CentralMass]

2. What a fiasco. The Olympic Committee that select the host countries needs an overhaul.

[cali]

4. It's already a mess and it hasn't even started

I suppose the best one can hope for is no terrorist attack.

[RKP5637]

3. It's like. "Hey, let's go swimming in Mom's cesspool." I can't imagine climbing into that

toilet! And, apparently they are told not to ingest any water. I'm not an athlete, but I sure have done my share of swimming, and it's damn hard not to ingest any water ... and in eyes, ears ... and what about skin diseases that might be picked up.

[Ohioblue22]

5. Here you go world's greatest athletes all your training and hard work has finally paid off

[UMTerp01]

6. They showed this guy who had infections and open wounds on his body after being in water

It was NASTY!! He had this huge red welt on his torso and this circular open sore with red inflammation around it. He is convinced that it was because he was in that nasty water. It is APPALLING!!!! Apparently there's now some super virus or super bug that is in the water. I heard one of the sailors say that it feels like some alien life form is on you if you are in the water and they keep their eyes and mouth closed when they get in.

I'm sorry but this is disgusting. Couple with Zika and concerns about inadequate facilities I'm not at all surprised that many athletes decided to skip the games. I feel so bad because I was so happy for Rio to get the games when it was announced but this is such a disaster and I wonder what they are going to do with those structures once the games have left. I was in Athens a few summers ago and the venues used when the Olympics were there are unkempt, falling apart, overgrown with grass, and just an eye sore. All that money spent for the games and those structures aren't even in use.

[Nay]

7. This is wholly the work of the IOC. Everyone knew that sewer treatment systems for an

ENTIRE HUGE CITY were not going to be built in time. An organized, much richer country couldn't have done that. So the IOC knew it wasn't going to happen and awarded Rio the Olympics anyway.

I hope every athlete that gets sick sues the hell out of the IOC. Maybe that will make them be more careful about where they put the Olympics. Personally, I wish they'd make 2 permanent sites - one winter, one summer - and be done with it.