Water in Olympic Games diving pool turns green overnight

The Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre's diving pool water (left) contrasts sharply with the normal light-blue of the adjacent water-polo pool. Water tests on the diving pool found there was no risk to athletes' health, said Mr Simon Langford, the venue's me
The Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre's diving pool water (left) contrasts sharply with the normal light-blue of the adjacent water-polo pool. Water tests on the diving pool found there was no risk to athletes' health, said Mr Simon Langford, the venue's media manager. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

RIO DE JANEIRO • Officials at the Rio Games diving competition were scratching their heads on Tuesday over the colour of the pool water, which had turned an odd green overnight.

The women's 10m synchronised platform competition took place with athletes plunging into a murky green diving well that contrasted sharply with the normal light-blue of the adjacent water-polo pool.

"Water tests at Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre's diving pool were conducted and there was found to be no risk whatsoever to athletes' health," said Mr Simon Langford, the venue's media manager.

"We are investigating to determine what the cause... is, but we are happy to report the competition was successfully concluded."

He declined further comment.

Brazil's hosting of the Games has already seen a number of slip-ups, including flawed Chinese flags at official ceremonies, transport chaos and a wave of thefts.

British diving star Tom Daley, who won a bronze in the men's 10m synchronised event on Monday, tweeted a photo of the aquatics centre scene, with the difference between the two pools clearly visible.

"Ermmm... what happened?!" he asked.

But competitors in Tuesday's event shrugged it off, saying it had no impact on their performance.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 11, 2016, with the headline Water in Olympic Games diving pool turns green overnight. Subscribe