The official Olympic test event for open water swimming was held on Saturday and Sunday off the Copacabana Beach following the anticipated Olympic racecourse.
The women’s 10km race went to Britain’s Keri-Anne Payne. The two time world champion won the race with a time of 2:12:18.7.
Allan do Carmo of Brazil won the men’s race with a time of 2:03.53.9 over Japan’s Yasunari Hirai and Olympic bronze medallist Richard Weinberger.
The race didn’t come without controversy as many athletes didn’t participate due the unsanitary conditions of the water that have caused many to question if the venue is suitable to host the event on the world’s largest stage.
Following the race however, many of the top competitors only offered positive reviews of their race experience. Payne, the winner on the women’s side, was one of the athletes who offered a positive testimony on her experience.
Payne said of the water, “Copacabana has all the qualities necessary for a good venue. For an Olympic venue, it could not be more iconic, historical and fun. Swimming here is so good that there was one moment in the race when I stopped to appreciate where I was. Seeing Christ the Redeemer with his arms open while competing is incredible. We’ll be able to tell people in the future: ‘I competed at Copacabana beach.’”
To see a full recap of the event click here.
22.08.2015.Maratona Aquática. Copacabana
That Buoy in the first pic! If the local open water events around here had buoys that big, it would solve a lot of my personal OWS navigation issues.
It is such a beautiful venue, hopefully no one gets sick.