Putting up with pollution

Trash-free water at the Rio Olympics is not guaranteed, but sailing competitors can at least expect a "fair" tournament, a top official said on Wednesday.

Barely two weeks from the start of the Games, the Brazilian hosts are scrambling to reassure competitors that the bay staging the sailing and windsurfing contests will not be affected by massive pollution.

The concern is that fast, light boats or a windsurfer could run into floating garbage or even just snag a plastic bag, getting slowed down or knocked out of the race. There are also worries about bacteria in the sewage-laden waters.