Olympic pool returns to normal color after being drained, refilled
The water in the outdoor Olympic pool returned to its normal color Sunday after officials took the drastic step of draining the pool.
The water in the diving pool first turned green on Tuesday, followed Wednesday by the adjacent pool used for synchronized swimming and water polo. Competitors complained that the water had a foul smell and burned their eyes.
The pool was closed Friday and officials made the decision Saturday to begin the 11-hour process of draining the green water from the pool scheduled to host synchronized swimming on Sunday. The diving pool was not drained.
Rio officials have offered a variety of explanations as to why the water was discolored, ranging from an algae bloom to a mistaken use of hydrogen peroxide.
One million gallons of water was removed from the pool and replaced in time for Sunday afternoon’s competition.
Synchronized swimming requires both the swimmers and the judges to see clearly below the surface of the water.
