Rio Pro To Be Relocated?

An independent study of water quality in Rio De Janeiro has confirmed what Kelly Slater already told us: Rio’s water is reeking.

As we reported back in May, the water quality during the the Billabong Pro was below healthy standards. The culprit is untreated sewage pouring directly into the ocean, creating “high viral levels” and leading organisers of the World Tour event to look at moving the event from Barra Da Tijuca to a cleaner beach further west, reports Fox Sports.

“If there is an issue, whether that’s sharks in South Africa or water pollution in Brazil, the sport pivots off the recommendations of the surfers,” WSL Spokesman Dave Prodan said. “If the issue involves the health and safety of our athletes, we don’t have them out there.”

Slater complained the poor water quality had caused him to fall ill following the World Tour event in May. It wasn’t until two months ago that a study of water quality was carried out. The investigation was brought on by next year’s Rio Olympic Games, which will see 14,000 swimmers, rowers, sailors, canoeists and triathletes dodging reconstituted food off the coast.