RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Mexico sailing coach Agustin Bellocchio offered a tip to sailors and windsurfers at this week’s Olympic test event in Rio de Janeiro’s polluted Guanabara Bay: Don’t swallow the water.
“Shut your mouth when you’re in the bay, and don’t take in any water,” said Bellocchio, an Argentine working for Mexico. “Everyone knows this bay is badly contaminated.”
Much of the focus at the recent test events for sailing and rowing has been on having limited contact with the water. Amid reports of high pollution in Rio’s waters, athletes are getting advice from team doctors and their federations about precautions to avoid becoming ill.
How hard is that? To get an idea, picture golfers not touching grass with their hands. Or figure skaters fearful of taking ill from a fall on the ice.
“It’s not normally such a consideration at any other events, but clearly it’s a consideration here,” said Peter Conde, the performance director for the Australian sailing team.