As reported yesterday, FINA issued a letter to 2016 Rio Olympic Games organizers lashing out at what it described as “substandard” aquatic facilities and “disrespect” for aquatic events.
Specifically, FINA criticized the host’s decision to reduce primary pool stadium seating to approximately 13,000 people, quite a difference from the estimated 17,500 capacity from the 2012 London Olympics aquatic center. FINA also called out the open-air, roof-less design of the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park, the venue at which diving, water polo and synchronized swimming events will take place.
Said FINA of the facilities being unenclosed, “The weather conditions may influence not only the athletes’ performances, but more importantly their health and safety.” Additionally, FINA now recognizes potential health risks associated with the open water swimming events, requesting the viral testing be conducted.
In response to FINA’s remarks, Rio de Janeiro’s mayor, Eduardo Paes, rejected the criticism, saying that FINA’s grievances were unwarranted and that Rio “has met all the demands” of the International Olympic Committee.
According to Paes’ response, FINA, as well as the IOC, “always knew” that the Maria Lenk venue would not have a roof, reiterating that Rio lacked the resources to add the structure. Paes also responded that the capacity of the venue was also “always known” to FINA, expressing, ““Our installations cannot be compared to those in Beijing. They won’t be as luxurious, they won’t be over the top, because that costs a lot of money and the city has to be careful with the money.”
Paes was, however, silent regarding the open water quality at Copacabana Beach and Guanabara Bay.
Mexico is in North America!
Brazil ran a brilliant PR campaign to land these Olympics. At the time their economy was hot, the middle class was doing well and it was an aspirational story. Now… not so much.
I could care less about an outdoor stadium. That’s part of the charm of hosting this in a tropical country. On the other hand… “Summer” in Brazil is actually their winter 🙂
I wonder what the temps. will be at night during competition. Supposedly the lows can be 64F and the highs are around 75F.
What is not so charming is swimming in raw sewage and risking lifelong debilitating illness.
Oh I see, not having a roof on the stadium will impact their performances (Rome, Athens) but moving the schedule to suit the US TV rather than the swimmers won’t. Good one.
You are not so idiot.
Brazil has thousands of miles of coast line.
Move the open water to a CLEAN beach !
Where’s Brazil’s amazing pr Campaign?
Now that they landed the Olympics, the charade is over.
Lake Michigan is pristine compared to this…
The USA federal government has mandated that cities and states in the Great Lakes watershed spend billions of USD cleaning up the Lakes and preventing sewage and stormwater runoff into the basin. Most of Lake Michigan is quite pristine. The problem is cold water temperatures, even at one of the southernmost parts of the system in Chicago.
Indeed. I was in Traverse City, Michigan, this summer for vacation. Had a FABULOUS swim in the bay every morning! I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
I agree overall about being substandard, but I don’t like fina lashing out on out door meets, it is taking a gamble, but out doors can be alot of fun, more then indoor (except for the backstrokers), and in rome 2009, while the suits helped a lot, the times were still fast adjusted for that, and bmthe backstrokers were fine, so if the weather works out, go outdoors!
Well, I understand your complains the last time the Olympics was in Latin America was 1968. Its a shame that both Brazil and Mexico didn’t progress as fast economically for everyone. There is a lot of poor condition facilities and as people mention before violence. Also, Brazil has been hit a lot with the slowdown in the economy of China since they exported a lot to China.