With the start of the 2016 Summer Olympics just over a week away, the waters around Rio where athletes will compete are still disgusting, toxic, and risky, according to a new report from The New York Times.
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As an example, athletes for the aquatic events today were warned to “keep their mouths shut” in the water.
With the Olympics just over a week away, concerns over the water quality in Rio are resurfacing.
One doctor has warned that “athletes will literally be swimming in human crap”.
According to News.com.au, government and Olympic officials have acknowledged that efforts to treat sewage and clear garbage from Guanabara Bay and other beaches in Rio have been insufficient.
Guanabara Bay is filled with floating debris. Because while this environmental disaster is revolting for those just learning about it, never forget that people actually live with waterways contaminated with superbacteria and the smell of shit in the air every day of their lives-Rio’s raw sewage still pumps into Guanabara Bay-and a true and thorough clean-up, officials say, will take 20 years.
“Foreign athletes will literally be swimming in human crap, and they risk getting sick from all those microorganisms”, said Dr. Daniel Becker, a local pediatrician who works in poor neighbourhoods. “It’s sad but also worrisome”.
Brazil claims that the waters where swimmers will compete meet World Health Organisation standards.
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Preparations had been marred by budget issues for the city of Rio de Janeiro, a national political crisis, security concerns and this week the Australian delegation said they preferred to stay outside the village as the accommodation at village was “not safe or ready” due to leaky plumbing, blocked toilets and exposed wires.
