By Nick Butler

ISAF officials want an inspection of pollution levels in Guanabara Bay ahead of the sailing test event in August ©Getty ImagesIndependent water quality tests may be conducted by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to monitor pollution levels in the much maligned Rio 2016 Guanabara Bay venue ahead of a test event due to take place in August.


Levels of pollution in the Bay has attracted huge criticism in recent months, with ISAF head of competitions Alastair Fox admitting to insidethegames that holding a test event from August 2 will be "difficult" as planned measures do deal with pollution will not have taken affect. 

Despite repeated assurances from the authorities that appropriate measures would be taken, in a May 7 letter to Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo, Rio's state environment secretary Carlos Francisco Portinho acknowledged in a best-case scenario that pollution flowing into the bay could be cut by "over 50 per cent" - well below the promised reduction of 80 per cent.

Following this, Fox has admitted the ISAF is likely to orchestrate tests itself, in order to allay athletes' health concerns as well as to force Games organisers to move more quickly.

He told the Associated Press he hopes the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would do independent testing themselves, but if the IOC are not conducting water-quality tests, then "it is very likely the ISAF will".

"Certainly compared to most sailing venues, the water quality is very, very bad," he added.

The IOC has indicated they have no such plans, and "trust the organisers and [the] ISAF will carry out the necessary research and analysis that will be carefully considered in order to ensure the safety of the athletes".

Sailing on Guanabara will be picturesque but pollution concerns are currently overshadowing the attractive elements of the venue ©Getty ImagesSailing on Guanabara will be picturesque but pollution concerns are currently overshadowing the attractive elements of the venue ©Getty Images



Pollution is one of a number of issues faced by Games organisers over recent months, with the construction of venues another prominent one, after it emerged construction in the Deodoro Cluster, where seven Olympic and three Paralympic disciplines will be held, is yet to begin.

In the most damaging criticism, IOC vice-president John Coates insisted Rio's preparations were the worst he had ever seen in his long association with the Games.

Sailing is not the only water sport venue facing pollution concerns, with the triathlon and open water swimming venue on Copacabana Bay and the rowing and canoe sprint venue at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas also affected.

But it is on Guanabara Bay where criticism has been most vocal, with the close proximity of the test event raising fears.

Fox particularly cited "clearly unsafe" sewage levels and physical debris as potential problems, adding: "If someone picks up a bag, or hits a sofa or something like that, then clearly that is going to affect them in the race."

State officials are using garbage boats to collect floating debris, but this is unlikely to reassure either ISAF officials or athletes.

Denmark's Allan Norregard, a 49er class bronze medal winner at London 2012, claimed the Bay is the "most polluted place" he had ever seen, while others have described it as "like an open sewer".

It is thought nearly 70 per cent of Rio's sewage goes untreated into its water, with exposure to faecal matter causing hepatitis A, dysentery, cholera and other diseases.

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