Share

Olympic Pools In Rio Mysteriously Turn Green; FINA Says It’s Safe

Authorities had nevertheless assured athletes competing in the diving pool-as well as in the water-polo pool, which was also turning green-that the water posed no risk.

Advertisement

Apparently, the water tanks ran out of some chemicals that are used in the water treatment process.

According to FINA, the worldwide governing body for the sport, some of the chemicals used in the water treatment process ran out, which allowed the pH level in the pool to drop.

“We have learned that chemistry is not an exact science”, Andrada said.

Andrada went on to explain that they didn’t correctly prepare for the number of athletes using the pool. The divers were sent instead to a “dry facility” to get their work in.

But no fear, we’ve found out why the water turned such an alarming shade – and no it wasn’t because someone used it as a toilet. But on Friday morning, after he couldn’t practice, he anxious about the larger implications.

The diving well closed Friday morning as Rio officials tried to restore its blue color.

“Hopefully that means we haven’t been diving in anything too bad the last couple of days”, Daley tweeted.

German diver Stephan Feck posted on his Facebook account a photo of himself near the pool, holding his nose.

Rio’s Olympic diving pool was closed to training Friday following concerns about the quality of the water. Though chemical tests have been done and the pool was termed as safe by the authorities, some of the Australian athletes have complained about stinging and teary eyes after their match against Japan. “It’s not good. It feels like they added more chlorine to the water but I’m not sure”, Zalanki said.

Only one diving event was scheduled for Friday: the women’s three-meter springboard preliminaries, which were scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. EDT.

The pool turned an emerald green earlier this week, becoming the subject of numerous jokes and creating a headache for the organisers.

Advertisement

Nope, says, FINA, the blames lies with the organizers.

Adam Pretty  Getty