Alarm bells have been ringing off the hook as several sailing athletes have fallen ill in recent weeks as a result of competing in Rio's Olympic waters. The most prominent victim was the German 49er helmsman and European champion Erik Heil, who had to be treated in Berlin's Charité hospital for a week with severe wound infections. Multi-resistant bacteria had caused five foci of infection on his legs and hips. One of them had to be painfully cut out.
Now the Olympic organisers finally want to take decisive action. Carlos Nuzman, Chairman of Rio's Olympic Organising Committee, said at a press conference in London: "The problem will be solved by the start of the Games next year." Independent scientific tests of the water quality in Guanabara Bay had previously revealed high levels of bacteria and viruses from human sewage in the area. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had also ordered tests for pathogenic viruses following consultation with the World Health Organisation. The International Sailing Federation (Isaf) also wants to have a series of tests carried out in the bay off Rio.
During the press conference in London, Nuzman named the improvement of water quality in the Olympic area as a key priority for the Olympic organisers. Nuzman told the sailing information service Scuttlebutt: "The health of the athletes is the number one thing we are working on. We are co-operating closely with the state government and researchers. I'm sure we won't have any complaints (about polluted waters) during the Games." Nuzman continued: "Other Olympic cities have had problems with their waters and have got them under control in time. Rio will do the same." The chief organiser described the situation as a "serious matter" and promised: "We are doing our absolute best to protect the health of the athletes." In this context, the construction of a new sewage pipe system should provide relief. Only time will tell whether it will really be possible to successfully clean the area - almost as large as Lake Constance - within a year.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
