Toxic water

The world’s Olympians deserve better in Rio

Athletes preparing for next year’s Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro are being sickened by water contaminated with human sewage. After The Associated Press found dangerously high levels of viruses and bacteria in multiple rounds of testing, Brazilian officials promised that their lakes and surf would be safe in time for the games.

That’s all well and good, but the International Olympic Committee should not even consider awarding the games to cities with substandard conditions.

In its Rio investigation, the AP tested water not only where athletes will compete in sailing, swimming, canoeing and rowing, but also at a beach popular with tourists. The water was teeming with infectious adenoviruses that cause severe diarrhea and vomiting and can lead to heart and brain diseases.

The horrific conditions will not just affect athletes participating in water-related events — about 1,400 of the 10,000 competitors — but will also threaten any of the expected spectators drawn to Rio’s deceptively gorgeous beaches.

This is the second time that recent Olympians have faced deplorable conditions. In 2008, Beijing hosted the summer games despite concerns about the city’s air pollution. To deflect critics, the city improved its air by closing industrial plants and restricting traffic. China, which learned Friday that it will host the 2022 Winter Olympics, must take permanent steps to clean its air.

Rio will have to take equally aggressive measures on water to ensure that next year’s Olympians are safe.