AP Investigation: Rio's Olympic water rife with sewage virus
By Associated Press
Jul 29, 2015 11:04 PM CDT
In this July 15, 2015 photo, sewage spews into the waters of the Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Extreme water pollution is common in Brazil, where the majority of sewage is not treated, and much of the raw waste runs through open-air ditches to streams and rivers that feed the Olympic water...   (Associated Press)

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Athletes competing in next year's Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will be swimming and boating in waters so contaminated with human feces that they risk becoming violently ill.

That's according to a study commissioned by The Associated Press that tested for viral and bacterial pathogens in the waters where athletes will compete.

It is the first independent comprehensive testing for both viruses and bacteria at the Olympic sites.

Brazilians officials have insisted the water will be safe for the Olympic athletes. But the government does not test for viruses.

An expert in water risk assessments who examined the AP data said athletes have a 99 percent chance of being infected by ingesting just three teaspoons of the polluted water.

It's not clear how many would then fall ill.

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