Filthy water, air tainting the start of the Olympic Games

For years, athletes have been told by coaches to expect problems and surprises, but few could anticipate warnings that they could become “violently ill.”

As the world awaits the tradition and glitz of the opening ceremonies this week, doctors are offering advice to athletes, and they aren’t sugarcoating their messages: Those competing in water sports will be exposed to pollution, including bleach, antibiotics and plastics.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Olympic events would take place in three different bodies of water, with varying levels of problems.

Dr. Valerie Harwood, chair of the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida, told the Associated Press: “Don’t put your head under water.”