I wasn't sure if this should go in the open water section or here but it is about swimming.I just read this-bigstory.ap.org/.../ap-investigation-rios-olympic-water-rife-sewage-virus and am worried for our open water swimmers. What a terrible predicament,work for years to go to the Olympics and then get really really sick. This is a black eye on the IOC,who like FINA, is more interested in politics and patronage than athletes.
I read this, this morning. They need to move the aquatic (open/water) events, including boating, and rowing, to another part of the world. If the open water events are not moved we are going to have some very ill athletes, unless Rio considers that a new Olympic event.
Yeah, I think it's a black eye on the IOC, and the Brazilian OC too. Back when they were awarded the 2016 games (sometime around 2009) it was known then that the water was polluted. But the Brizilian govt said that they could get it cleaned up by the time the games rolled around. Well, it's obvious that isn't going to happen. Yes...they should find a suitable alternative location.
Dan
From the article:
"However, Dr. Richard Budgett, the medical director for the International Olympic Committee, said after seeing the AP findings that the IOC and Brazilian authorities should stick to their program of testing only for bacteria to determine whether the water is safe for athletes. 'We've had reassurances from the World Health Organization and others that there is no significant risk to athlete health,' he told the AP on the sidelines of an IOC meeting in Malaysia. He went on to say that 'there will be people pushing for all sorts of other tests, but we follow the expert advice and official advice on how to monitor water effectively.'"
But it's his job to say that.
From the article:
"However, Dr. Richard Budgett, the medical director for the International Olympic Committee, said after seeing the AP findings that the IOC and Brazilian authorities should stick to their program of testing only for bacteria to determine whether the water is safe for athletes. 'We've had reassurances from the World Health Organization and others that there is no significant risk to athlete health,' he told the AP on the sidelines of an IOC meeting in Malaysia. He went on to say that 'there will be people pushing for all sorts of other tests, but we follow the expert advice and official advice on how to monitor water effectively.'"
But it's his job to say that.
Let's see, if you grew up swimming in a toilet, then you would be used to the germs floating around in the toilet. Those toilet swimmers are at an advantage since their immune systems are used to those toilet loving germs. If you did not grow up swimming in a toilet, yes, its going to be hard on the immune system for any/all of those non-toilet swimming swimmers. I would like to see the Argentinian IOC swim in that particular toilet for the time it takes to swim the 10K Meter marathon swim, and see how well they are after drinking a few tablespoons of toilet water of their own raw sewage.
Wouldn't it be logical to only accept bids from cities that have the infrastructure in place to host an Olympic Games that is safe and does not present health and safety concerns for both athletes and spectators? Awarding an event of this magnitude based upon the forecast or promise of having their ducks in a row by the time athletes begin arriving is ridiculous, if not just plain foolish.
scy,
Of course that makes perfect sense. But why let logic and good sense get in the way of a perfectly good deal full of deceit, fraud, and graft? It's the Olympic way (much like FIFA).
Dan
:lmao:Actually, I shouldn't be laughing, because it isn't a funny matter; but, you perfectly put into words what I was thinking after reading scyfreestyler's excellent post.
Wouldn't it be logical to only accept bids from cities that have the infrastructure in place to host an Olympic GamesOne possible flaw in this process is that NO city has the infrastructure in place to host an Olympic Games. Heck, they could come back to Atlanta and we would still need $100MM plus to Billions to build the venues and infrastructure.
One possible flaw in this process is that NO city has the infrastructure in place to host an Olympic Games. Heck, they could come back to Atlanta and we would still need $100MM plus to Billions to build the venues and infrastructure.
If any city could do it, L.A. could. I also think Sydney could handle it again without too much additional $. :2cents:
One possible flaw in this process is that NO city has the infrastructure in place to host an Olympic Games. Heck, they could come back to Atlanta and we would still need $100MM plus to Billions to build the venues and infrastructure.
Right, but I think there are several cities, and not just those within the United States, that already have lakes and oceans that are not contaminated with raw sewage. Some of them might even offer airports that don't greet those stepping off of aircraft with the smell of untreated sewage.
