Rio de Janeiro’s state environmental agency "is investigating a fish die-off that has left thousands of carcasses floating in waters where sailing events are to be held when Brazil hosts next year’s Olympics," according to the AP. The dead twaite shad "were discovered on Wednesday by inspectors conducting routine water testing in Rio’s sewage- and trash-filled Guanabara Bay." The discovery of the fish, which were washing up on the coastline outside Rio’s int'l airport and about 12km from the starting point for the 2016 Olympic sailing events, comes amid a visit by IOC inspectors, in Rio "to check up on the city’s progress in preparing for the games as the country is dealing with an intense drought." It "also follows upbeat comments" by Rio Governor Luiz Fernando Pezao, who said that "the city was working to meet its pledge" to treat 80% of the sewage in the sprawling urban area that rings the bay. IOC Exec Dir Christophe Dubi said that "he understood the goal of depolluting Guanabara Bay remains." Dubi: "We are still aiming for this goal. We cannot judge until the finish line" (AP, 2/27).
