- Teen killed in horse accident giving life to other children
- Audit finds millionaire living in public housing
- Micropreemie beats odds, finally goes home after nearly a year in hospital
- Office of dentist accused of killing Cecil the Lion becomes makeshift memorial
- 911 operator hangs up CPR giver as teenager dies
Athletes who battled to just be able to get to Rio for next year's Summer Olympics, are now facing a potential health danger from the city's water supply.
According to an Associated Press investigation, the water that swimmers and boaters will be competing in is so contaminated with human feces the athletes could become violently ill and not be able to compete in their matches.
AP's analysis of the water quality found dangerous levels of viruses and bacteria from sewage in the Olympic venues.
Some competitors who are training in Rio have already fallen ill with fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
Brazilian officials have promised that the water will be safe for the athletes and the medical director for the International Olympic Committee said they are on schedule for providing safe competition locations.
Neither the Brazilian government nor the IOC tests for viruses. They only test for bacteria levels, according to the Associated Press.
Water pollution is considered extreme in Brazil. Most sewage is not treated and raw waste runs through ditches to streams and rivers that feed into the Olympic water sites.
Some of the water tested had results that were 1.7 million times the level of what is considered hazardous on a Southern California beach.
Olympic hopefuls are already competing in Rio. An Olympic qualifier event will be held Sunday. Rowers will be competing Wednesday for the 2015 World Rowing Junior Championships.
More than 10,000 athletes from 205 countries will be in Rio to compete in next years Olympic games, AP reported.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
