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World Rowing to seek viral testing in Rio Olympic waters

People wade into the water during a clinic held by U.S. triathletes for local swimmers along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. Triathletes swam in waters off Copacabana Beach despite published warnings that water in the area was "unfit" for swimming. On Thursday, The Associated Press released the results of a five-month investigation that showed that Olympic venues are rife with disease-causing viruses and bacteria. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) People wade into the water during a clinic held by U.S. triathletes for local swimmers along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. Triathletes swam in waters off Copacabana Beach despite published warnings that water in the area was "unfit" for swimming. On Thursday, The Associated Press released the results of a five-month investigation that showed that Olympic venues are rife with disease-causing viruses and bacteria. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

By Associated Press August 4, 2015 1 min read

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The head of the governing body of world rowing says he will ask for viral testing at the rowing venue for next year’s Rio Olympics, and says he expects all other water sports in Rio to follow suit.

The move comes after an Associated Press investigation last week showed a serious health risk to about 1,400 Olympic athletes who will compete at water venues around Rio that are rife with human waste and sewage.

Matt Smith, the CEO of World Rowing, told the AP on Tuesday that “we will ask that viral testing is done.”

Following AP’s study, the World Health Organization advised the International Olympic Committee to analyze virus levels in Rio waters.

Smith said he expects federations for canoeing, swimming and triathlon to also seek viral tests.