Tokyo 2020 Venue Fails Water Quality Tests

(ATR) Tokyo 2020 and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government have work to do to bring the Marathon Swimming and Triathlon venue’s water quality to acceptable standards.

Water quality and temperature surveys were conducted this summer at the Odaiba Marine Park over 21 days mirroring the scheduled dates for Tokyo 2020 and on five days mirroring those of the Paralympic Games.

The results showed that the standards for marathon swimming specified by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) were reached on 10 days while the triathlon water quality standards required by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) were attained on six days.

Tokyo 2020, which published the findings, says the results revealed that day-to-day weather conditions, specifically rainfall, caused the water quality at Odaiba to vary significantly. It was also noted that there was rainfall for 21 consecutive days in the Tokyo area in August, the second longest streak of its kind in August since 1977.

Measures to clean up the water are already planned. The installation of single- and double-layer underwater screens has proven effective in improving water quality in past experiments involving light rain at Odaiba Marine Park.

TMG and Tokyo 2020 say other measures, including triple-layer underwater screens, will be tested and that the recommended water quality is expected to be achieved. Should issues remain, Tokyo 2020 "will consider all necessary measures to ensure the smooth operation of events at Odaiba Marine Park, including amendments to event dates and/or times in response to weather conditions."

An ITU spokesperson tellsAround the Rings"We are confident that the field of play, for the Tokyo 2020 Games and the test events, will be in perfect conditions."

Both the ITU and FINA said in their statements they will keep working closely with Tokyo 2020 and the TMG to ensure a sound and safe environment for the 2020 Games.

Written by Gerard Farek

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