Rio de Janeiro can be "proud" of the four Olympic test events held so far in the city, the head of the Rio 2016 coordinating committee said, as officials "once again played down concerns over athletes' safety in the city's polluted waterways," according to Rodrigo Viga Gaier of REUTERS. IOC VP and chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for the 2016 Olympics Nawal el Moutawakel said, "I was at the equestrian event and I was very proud and happy about how it was organized." However, "some questions still remain over Rio's preparations, with El Moutawakel acknowledging that next Sunday's road cycling test event had been altered because of political unrest." The start time "was brought forward and the starting point was moved to avoid clashing with planned protests against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff" (REUTERS, 8/12). The BBC reported IOC officials "played down concerns over the water quality where the sailing, swimming, rowing and triathlon events will be held in 2016." The World Health Organization suggested that "the IOC monitor pollution levels in the water." El Moutawakel insisted the issue of water quality is being addressed, so the athletes can "compete in a secure and safe environment" (BBC, 8/13).
WHO BACKPEDALS: The PTI reported a top official said that the IOC "ruled out conducting viral tests of Rio de Janeiro’s sewage-laden waterways ahead of the 2016 games." Olympic Games Exec Dir Christophe Dubi said that "the IOC will be sticking to" WHO guidelines recommending only bacterial testing. In two separate emailed statements following the AP’s July 30 publication about its study, WHO said it was advising the IOC “to widen the scientific base of indicators to include viruses.” However, in an emailed statement on Monday, the organization backpedaled and said that "WHO has not and will not issue an 'official recommendation' on viral testing." Dubi: "WHO is very clear that bacterial testing is what should be followed. 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" (PTI, 8/13).
