The people in charge at the Rio Olympics have finally explained why the water turned green in the pools of the Olympics. According to them, water tanks ran out of chemicals that are used to treat water, resulting in the color changing from blue to green. They say the conditions are safe for all athletes and that the water will be back to blue soon.
People first noticed the water in the Olympics diving pool at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center had turned green on Tuesday. A day later, the water in the water polo pool was also turning green.
“FINA can confirm that the reason for the unusual water color observed during the Rio 2016 diving competitions is that the water tanks ran out some of the chemicals used in the water treatment process. As a result the pH level of the water was outside the usual range, causing the discoloration. The FINA Sport Medicine Committee conducted tests on the water quality and concluded that there was no risk to the health and safety of the athletes, and no reason for the competition to be affected,” FINA said in a statement.
Olympic spokesman Mario Andrada also explained the color change, but said the water was safe.
“There was a sudden decrease of alkalinity,” Andrada said. “We probably failed to note that with more athletes the water could be affected.
“There is absolutely no risk to anybody. The independent group (charged with checking the water quality) confirmed the measures to bring the pool back to its normal color. The rain affected a bit the changes in the state of the water. It should go back to classic blue colour during the day.”
Here is a photo of the green diving pool:
A statement from #Rio2016 organizers about the green water in the diving pool blames "a sudden change in alkalinity" for the problem.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) August 10, 2016
Olympic diving pool is green. Explanation: they ran out chemicals, but FINA says water perfectly safe. @MiamiHerald pic.twitter.com/pTQArVdePS
— Michelle Kaufman (@kaufsports) August 10, 2016
The diving pool and water polo pools side-by-side:
Rainy day in Rio for the third day of men's #waterpolo and the water has a shade of green now. pic.twitter.com/oLr6PEjttU
— Greg Mescall (@GregMescall) August 10, 2016
Now water polo pool is going green next to diving pool. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/AjCJGhk2qR
— Beth Harris (@bethharrisap) August 10, 2016
