Study: Aquatic Olympians Compete in ‘basically raw sewage’


Among the bacteria floating in the bay are dead bodies. Apparently it’s a popular dumping ground for murder victims. And the bacteria isn’t just a problem for the olympians. It’s also a problem for the spectators.

Researchers at the Federal University of Rio also found serious contamination at the upscale beaches of Ipanema and Leblon, where many of the half-million Olympic spectators are expected to frolic between sporting events.

“Foreign athletes will literally be swimming in human crap, and they risk getting sick from all those microorganisms,” said Dr. Daniel Becker, a local pediatrician who works in poor neighborhoods. “It’s sad but also worrisome.”

This sad news has left many in Rio disheartened, because if the government couldn’t clean up the bay for something as big as the olympics, it’ll probably never get cleaned up. Here’s to hoping that all of the athletes go home healthy.

Source: nytimes.com

 



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