Some suggested that the green came from oxidized copper in the pool’s pipes, but others wondered whether urine was the culprit.
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Britain’s Tom Daley, who won a bronze medal in the 10m synchronised diving on Monday, told Press Association Sport: “It’s slightly odd 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”. So is it unsafe? It certainly got both spectators and Olympians concerned, and desperate to know why it was happening.
World swimming governing body FINA said the color change was the result of a failure by the organizers to sufficiently treat the water after tanks at the venue ran out of chemicals.
“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.
Andrada said they made the decision to cancel training because few divers were trying to practice and a light rain was making it hard for the water to sit still. “We retested the water and it was totally within the parameters”. Oh well, the show much go on!
It remained blue, according to Rio officials, because it had more chemicals. Share your thoughts with us!
Olympic spokesman Mario Andrada added that the water was tested regularly and determined to not be a risk to athletes.
Nate Hernandez, the director of aquatic solutions at pool care company VivoAquatics, dispelled the notion that urine discolored the water in the pool, theNew York Times reported.
The biggest mystery of the Rio Olympics so far has just taken a new twist.
Canadian team leader Mitch Geller, whose divers Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito clinched bronze in the 10-meter, told reporters on Tuesday that his athletes “hope it is not like a swamp tomorrow”.
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Earlier speculation had suggested algae was the culprit for the odd sight at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre on Tuesday (Aug 9), which sparked health fears that Games organisers swiftly dispelled.
