Rio 2016 - Korean windsurfer falls victim to Olympic pollution?
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 19 Aug 2015
RS:X Windsurfer, Wonwoo Cho (KOR) being loaded into an ambulance prior to being hospitalised SW
Korean Windsurfer competitor Wonwoo Cho appears to have become the first victim of the polluted Guanabara Bay, inshore venue for the 2016 Sailing Olympics.
Social media postings from his sailing associates report that the sailor has been admitted to Hospital Samaritano, with symptoms linked with ingesting water from the polluted bay.
The sailors condition is described as not being 'an emergency situation, but it's very disappointing.
'He has been sick since last night with a high fever, vomiting and coldness, and he is now fully dehydrated.
'It seems he got infected from virus somewhere in the racing site which is supposed to be safe and clean as an Olympic venue.'
The posting shows photos of the sailor being loaded into an ambulance, presumably on his way to hospital.
Wonwoo Cho failed to finish both races in his event, the Mens RS:X sailed on Tuesday.
He was later reported as recovering.
Earlier video footage was widely circulated on the internet showing what was said be sewerage being discharged into the bay, and with a boom arranged a few metres off shore in an attempt to control the spread of the pollution.
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