Christophe Dubi, the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Games executive director, said Wednesday that the I.O.C. would not conduct viral tests of the Rio de Janeiro waterways ahead of the 2016 Games. The organization will stick to World Health Organization guidelines recommending only bacterial testing, Dubi said.
A study released last month showed dangerously high levels of disease-causing viruses in all water-related venues. In response to the report, the W.H.O. said in two emails that it would recommend that the I.O.C. pursue viral testing in Rio. But in a statement Monday, the organization reversed course and said it would not issue an “official recommendation” on viral testing.