Tokyo 2020 Triathlon Site Tests Positive For E. Coli Concentrations 21 Times Over Limit

A recent water quality survey at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics triathlon venue "found E. coli bacteria at concentrations up to 21 times the level permitted by the sport's governing body," the Tokyo metropolitan government and the events' organizing committee said Wednesday, according to KYODO. The metropolitan officials "attributed the excessive reading to a record rainfall" in the Japanese capital in August -- 21 consecutive days of rain -- as precipitation exceeding the processing capacity of sewage facilities can "cause sewage water diluted by rain to be discharged into the ocean." Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee Sports Dir Koji Murofushi said that changes to event dates or times "could be considered in response to weather conditions, while ruling out the possibility of a venue change." He said, "The proposed improvement measures are sufficient. There is no need to change the venue" (KYODO, 10/4).