Rio 2016 News: Brazil Waters To Host Olympics Sailing Events Found With Super Bacteria
If the national government of Brazil is keen on producing a one for the ages holding of the Olympics in its capital of Rio de Janeiro in 2016, it would have to clean up its act, particularly, its waters. Scientists found super bacteria resistant to drugs in the waters of Brazil were sporting events such as sailing and windsurfing are scheduled to take place.
Due to the high population of the capital city, naturally, the waste from the sewages of homes and industries spill out into the open sea, particularly through Guanabara Bay. The Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil's most respected health research institute found the super bacteria in the beaches of Flamengo which is connected to the Guanabara and concluded that such bacteria can be produces in hospital wastes which can be hazardous. Residents along the area have already been warned of activities near the beach, particularly swimming.
"It's just a huge bay of sewage," Leona Deckelbaum, an environment protester, told NBC News. She also added that the fecal matter found in the water is 200 times higher than what is usually the legal limit in the waters in the United States, a very alarming number.
Given that some of the events will be contested in these waters namely sailing and wind surfing, the report that the trash-filled waters would pose a health hazard to the athletes may run Rio de Janeiro of losing some major support in the upcoming May 2016 Olympics. The government is scrambling to remedy the gaping holes in the preparation particularly the water cleanliness level as another report surfaced that only 34 percent of the city's sewage is being treated properly, leaving the rest to flow back into the ocean.
The city's Olympic committee has already released a statement and has vowed to curb the pollution in time for the worldwide event. Eduardo Paes, Rio de Janeiro's city mayor has already relayed to NBC News that he is mobilizing all efforts to put the city in tip top shape months before the games begin.
"I can guarantee these games will be ready on time. One hundred percent. And I can guarantee you, that this is going to be the greatest legacy in Olympics history," Paez remarked to NBA News.