British sailor team not deterred by Brazilian water conditions

With just under five months to the Summer Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, officials are trying to ease concerns crippling the event.

Already marred by the spread of the Zika virus, an ongoing sewage situation was recently brought to light.

Guanabara Bay made headlines because of its polluted waters where the Olympics sailing and windsurfing events will unfold.

Nevertheless, the British sailing team has said that this issue will not deter them from the games.

Sailor Giles Scott says, “I know there is a lot of chat around the water quality as well, especially debris. It is a bit of a worry for us. But it is just going to be part of the Rio Olympics unfortunately.”

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Rio’s Olympic bid included a promise to clean up the bay by 80 percent but admitted that its commitment will not be reached. The profound lack of modern sanitation was spun into an asset by the leaders of Rio’s campaign.

“Rio is coming round the corner very, very quickly. I think entering into 2016 it really hit home that this is it. It is Saskia’s last Olympics, it could be my last Olympics, so we just want to give it absolutely everything,” said British women team sailor Hannah Mills.

According to reports, the water harbours high levels of viruses and bacteria due to the inadequate sewage system that flows into the bay.