Rio 2016: Athletes disgusted as SECOND Olympic pool turns green
OLYMPIC athletes were shocked to find a second pool is beginning to turn green.
Two of the Olympic pools have turned green
The diving pool – usually clear blue – was the first to change colour, with athletes forced to compete in neon green water.
Team GB’s Tonia Couch claimed the water was so murky that she couldn’t see partner Lois Toulson underwater, telling reporters: “I’ve never dived in anything like it.”
The problem has now spread to the water polo pool – which while not quite neon, has taken on an emerald hue.
Rio 2016 officials have promised that there is “no risk to the athletes” and said the water should be back to normal “soon”.
Olympic diving pool turns green
The diving pool (right) was the first to change colour
Jack Laugher and Chris Mears were forced to dive in neon green water
After days of confusion as to why the pool had changed colour, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) explained that a chemical used to treat the water had run out, leading to a change in pH levels.
But some athletes weren’t happy with FINA’s excuses.
Richie Campbell, of the Australian water polo team, said the water left his eyes “stinging”.
Officials have blamed the problem on pH levels
“It hurts at the end of the game and we’ll probably get teary eyes for the next couple of hours,” he said.
And Montenegro’s Mladan Janovic said “It’s very difficult to play in this water – you cannot even see.”
The green water didn’t seem to be a problem for Jack Laugher and Chris Mears, who won Britain’s first ever gold medal for diving.