But the mysterious green water has definitely been making a splash on social media.
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In a statement, FINA, the world governing body for Olympic aquatic sports including swimming and diving, says that pH levels were the explanation for why the diving pool at the Maria Lenk pool turned bright green before Tuesday’s competition.
‘A sudden change in alkalinity, that was the reason. Share your stories, photos and videos.
“Today’s rain has affected that a bit, but we are testing the water quality regularly”.
“I don’t know what’s happened. I think they bumped up the chlorine or something because my eyes are stinging”, Australian centre back Richie Campbell said. A Canada water expert was offering assistance to the Olympic crew, while athletes were still unsure on Wednesday morning how the quality of the pool would be later in the day. The diving pool in the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre wasn’t one of them, according to company vice president Andrew Tiffany, because it was in an existing facility, originally built for the 2007 Pan American Games.
But by Wednesday the cause was clear, Andrada said, telling the Associated Press that the water changed color because of “a proliferation of algae”.
The water polo pool, left, has now turned green, just like the diving pool, right. But a change in colour now would suggest the water issue is getting worse, not better. The water polo pool has been effected the same way, ‘ Rio 2016’s Mario Andrada said during a news conference.
“We have treated both pools during the night and the alkalinity levels have already improved”.
Britain’s Tom Daley, who won a bronze medal in the 10m synchronised diving on Monday, told Press Association Sport: “It’s slightly unusual to look at.but it actually does make it easier for us to dive because normally, when you’re spinning, it’s hard to see which way is up when the sky and water are both blue”.
There were a number of test runs at the aquatic centre leading into the Olympics, with hundreds of divers and swimmers using the pool to ensure conditions were up to scratch.
However, officials admit they didn’t prepare for the frequency of athletes entering the pool.
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Alex Patlashenko, owner of Toronto pool maintenance company Swim Clean Pool Service, says green water is most often caused by algae.
