IOC rules out viral testing of Rio's Olympic waters

Rio de Janeiro: The International Olympic Committee ruled out conducting viral tests of Rio de Janeiro's sewage-laden waterways ahead of the 2016 games, a top official said, despite an Associated Press study showing dangerously high levels of disease-causing viruses at all aquatic venues, with experts saying athletes are almost certain to be exposed to pathogens.

Speaking at a news conference dominated by questions about Rio's sewage pollution problem, Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi said the IOC will be sticking to World Health Organisation guidelines recommending only bacterial testing.

The AP's independent analysis of water quality showed high levels of viruses and, in some cases, bacteria from human sewage in all of Rio's Olympic and Paralympic water venues, including the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, where rowing will take place, the Guanabara Bay, where the sailing competition are to be held, and at Copacabana Beach where distance swimming events will take place.

In two separate emailed statements following the AP's July 30 publication about its study, the World Health Organisation said it was advising the International Olympic Committee "to widen the scientific base of indicators to include viruses."

However, in an emailed statement Monday, the organisation backpedaled and said that "WHO has not and will not issue an 'official recommendation' on viral testing".

"WHO is very clear that bacterial testing is what should be followed," said Dubi. "They have restated that bacterial testing is the measure that has to be used and will continue to be used by the authorities. ... It is the best measure to be used.

"We have also asked if with these measures and with this testing we can ensure the quality of the water for the athletes and preserving safety and the answer is yes," he said.

Several water experts cited by the AP disagree and have underscored there is little to no correlation between the amount of bacteria from sewage in waters and the amount of viruses, which is what the AP study has so far found, with astronomical viral counts up to 1.7 million times what would be considered alarming on a southern California beach, yet with bacterial levels often within legal limitations.