Posted on 07/29/2015 9:34:50 PM PDT by Citizen Zed
An Associated Press investigation found dangerously high levels of viruses and bacteria from sewage in venues where athletes will compete in the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic water sports.
In the first independent comprehensive testing for both viruses and bacteria at the Olympic sites, the AP conducted four rounds of tests starting in March. The results have alarmed international experts and dismayed competitors training in Rio, some of whom have already have fallen ill with fevers, vomiting and diarrhea.
These ailments could knock an athlete out for days, potentially curtailing Olympics dreams and the years of hard training behind them.
"This is by far the worst water quality we've ever seen in our sailing careers," said Ivan Bulaja, a coach for the Austrian team, which has spent months training on the Guanabara Bay. "I am quite sure if you swim in this water and it goes into your mouth or nose that quite a lot of bad things are coming inside your body."
Sailor David Hussl has already fallen ill.
"I've had high temperatures and problems with my stomach," Hussl said. "It's always one day completely in bed and then usually not sailing for two or three days."
Water pollution has long plagued Brazil's urban areas, where most sewage isn't collected, let alone treated. In Rio, much of the waste runs through open-air ditches to fetid streams and rivers that feed the Olympic water sites and blight the city's picture postcard beaches.
Brazilian authorities pledged that a major overhaul of the city's waterways would be among the Olympics' most significant legacies. But the stench of raw sewage still greets travelers touching down at Rio's international airport.
(Excerpt) Read more at bigstory.ap.org ...
They don’t make you drink the local water in Rio, they import bottles of spring water from Figi by the millions.
Dude - that photo is actual size!
Well I love that dirty water. Oh, Rio, you’re my home
One match, or one great rain and all that colorful stuff would be gone.
Ha!
Really a shame. I was in Brazil for the World Cup last year, and the people are wonderful. They spent a ton of money on new stadiums, most of which are not being used much. (In the meantime, clearly some FIFA officials made a lot of money). If the Olympics are going to be held there, Brazil should use this as an opportunity to upgrade their sanitation infrastructure. The country is really hurting.
They’ve been there for about 100 years. Almost everything is made of reinforced concrete with structural clay tile infill. It’s very strong. People work together to build when and where they want learning by years of trial and error and close interaction.
One of the greatest things about FR, if you listen, your education grows. TY
There goes the rest of my data plan!
Doesn't mean squat if you are on the swim team or play water polo.
‘Blame it on the bossa nova’
You know, explosive diarrhea could make the difference in sprints. And everyone’s gonna want to be the lead sled dog.
But it could get ugly.
You know ‘Brazil nuts’? Down there they just call them nuts.
If you look closely, you can see pervert bill clinton window peeking in the shanty to the immediate right of the 3 story yellow shanty.
Those buildings wouldn’t do well in an earthquake.
Brazil is the country of the future: and always will be.
I don’t swim in pools!
Haven’t for 50 years. If it’s not a river or ocean, I stay dry.
.
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