Olympics officials promised on Wednesday to solve an embarrassing saga at the Games’ diving arena that turned the competition pool a deep shade of green and left competitors joking that they were leaping into “a swamp”.
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“FINA can confirm that the reason for the unusual water color observed during the Rio 2016 diving competitions is that the water tanks ran out some of the chemicals used in the water treatment process”.
Mr Andrada said there was also an issue of algae in the water.
A spokesman for Rio 2016, Mario Andrada, blamed the problems on a fall in the alkaline level in the diving well that was affecting both pools.
Pictures from the venue on Wednesday show the diving pool is still tinged with green, while the adjacent pool used for the synchronised swimming and water polo appears to be going the same way.
Brit Tom Daley takes part in a training session after the water in the diving pool turned green.
Olympic bosses insist there is “absolutely no risk” to athletes.
“The people in charge could and should have done more extensive tests during the day – we probably failed to notice what would happen over time”.
“I could barely open my eyes for the final quarter”, United States of America men’s water polo captain Tony Azevedo told journalists following his team’s 6-3 victory over France.
One spokesman for FINA, global swimming and diving’s governing body, initially suggested the water might have deliberately been turned green for colorful effect and to reduce glare, before that theory was quickly debunked.
“We expect the colour to be back to blue very shortly”.
“As a result the pH level of the water was outside the usual range, causing the discolouration”.
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It said its Sport Medicine Committee had conducted tests on the water quality, and found there was no risk to the health and safety of the athletes, and no reason for the competition to be affected. “We understand a series of factors have affected the colour and alkalinity of the water”.
