Earlier this week, the diving pool at the Rio Olympics mysteriously turned an alarming shade of green – and no one was able to explain why.
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The global swimming federation (FINA) said “the reason for the unusual water colour observed during the Rio 2016 diving competitions is that the water tanks ran out of some of the chemicals used in the water treatment process”.
The confusion continued when the third day of the men’s water polo tournament also began in green-tinged water, though not almost as dark as the neighboring diving pool.
Rio 2016 spokesperson Mario Andradas told The New York Times: “Midafternoon, there was a sudden decrease in the alkalinity in the diving pool, and that’s the main reason the color changed”.
It appears that the case of the mysterious green water has been solved, but that didn’t stop Olympics viewers from coming up with their own theories for the transformation. “Who cares about the green water?” The problem is they put way too much chlorine in. “We had more dirt in the water and that generated more algae”. “You can’t have that”. On Wednesday, some complained that water treatments used to clear up the pools were impacting their events. “The people in charge of the pool and of checking could and should have done more intensive tests”, Andrada said.
Maybe not, according to a US pool expert.
“If this was a pool under my management it would have to be closed to the public to rectify the problem because these chemicals are so harsh on bathers”, said Nate Hernandez, Director of Aquatic Solutions at VivoAquatics in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Canada’s Meaghan Benfeito: “The only thing we said is don’t open your mouth in the water, just in case”.
“FINA’s Sports Medical Committee has conducted some tests and concluded that the waters will not be harmful to athletes and there shouldn’t be an excuse to postpone the competition”, said FINA.
“FINA is certainly frustrated that the organizing committee has missed the mark in operating the facilities”, Ramsey said. “But that’s alright, we’ve probably played in worse pools”. He added that the pool for water polo and synchronized swimming is being affected in the same way.
“Checked with our team today, no reports of any chlorine complaints”.
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“They’re used to seeing the water”, Geller said. There was no sign of any water quality issues with the water polo pool during the first day of the women’s competition Tuesday.
