AP tests find persistent contamination in Rio waters ahead of Olympics

The waters around Rio de Janeiro remain highly contaminated nine months ahead of the Summer Olympics, according to a new study commissioned by the Associated Press.

The study's results are concerning on two fronts. First, the study showed high levels of both bacterial and viral pathogens, a significant concern because of the ability of viral pathogens to cause disease. Bacteria tend to break down quickly in tropical climates, the study noted, while viral pathogens can remain active for months.

Both bacterial and viral counts were high not only near the shore, where Rio dumps untreated sewage into the water, but farther out in open water, where boating competitions will take place. That indicates the infectious counts are not being diluted the farther out they drift from shore.

The AP first reported in July that viruses were present in levels up to 1.7 million times what would draw concern in the United States and Europe. Later in the summer, many competitors in rowing and sailing events fell ill following pre-Olympic competitions. Competitors attempted everything from bleaching oars to showering immediately after races, but still fell ill at a rate of 6.7 percent of 567 rowers.

While initially indicating they would test for viruses, Brazil and the International Olympic Committee have decided to follow the World Health Organization's lead and test only for bacteria, a cheaper process than testing for viruses. Brazil had won the Olympic bid on a promise to clean Rio's contaminated waterways, but now concedes that will not happen.

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.

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