Katie Dowd|on August 7, 2016
Photo: Silvia Izquierdo, Associated Press
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In this June 1, 2015 file photo, a discarded sofa litters the shore of Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In this June 1, 2015 file photo, a discarded sofa litters the shore of Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Photo: Silvia Izquierdo, Associated PressImage2of25
A competitor practices during training for the whitewater kayak event prior to the 2016 Summer Olympics on August 2, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
A competitor practices during training for the whitewater kayak event prior to the 2016 Summer Olympics on August 2, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo: Jamie Squire, Getty ImagesImage3of25
A competitor from Poland practices during training for the whitewater kayak event prior to the 2016 Summer Olympics on August 2, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
A competitor from Poland practices during training for the whitewater kayak event prior to the 2016 Summer Olympics on August 2, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo: Jamie Squire, Getty ImagesImage4of25
Germany's canoeist doubles Franz Anton (L) and Jan Benzien (R) take part in a training session at the Canoe and Kayak White Water X-Park stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 2, 2016, ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. lessGermany's canoeist doubles Franz Anton (L) and Jan Benzien (R) take part in a training session at the Canoe and Kayak White Water X-Park stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 2, 2016, ahead of the 2016 Rio ... morePhoto: CARL DE SOUZA, AFP/Getty ImagesImage5of25
Poland's entrants in the 49er sailing class Lukasz Przybytek and Pawel Kolodzinski sail during a training session on Rio de Janerio's Guanabara Bay for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, on August 6, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WESTWILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images lessPoland's entrants in the 49er sailing class Lukasz Przybytek and Pawel Kolodzinski sail during a training session on Rio de Janerio's Guanabara Bay for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, on August 6, 2016. / AFP PHOTO ... morePhoto: WILLIAM WEST, AFP/Getty ImagesImage6of25
In this July 15, 2016 photo, a group of Guiana dolphins swim near fish farm pens in Guanabara Bay near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Olympic sailors competing in the Rio de Janeiro may navigate through fetid waters and possibly bump into floating trash. But if they are lucky enough, they might also sail past a few dozen dolphins that live in Guanabara Bay. Despite the untreated sewage and toxic industrial pollution that flows into bay waters, 34 Guiana dolphins live, breed and feed in the bay. (AP Photo/Renata Brito) lessIn this July 15, 2016 photo, a group of Guiana dolphins swim near fish farm pens in Guanabara Bay near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Olympic sailors competing in the Rio de Janeiro may navigate through fetid waters ... morePhoto: Renata Brito, Associated PressImage7of25
In this July 15, 2016 photo, a Guiana dolphin lifts its tail out of the water while swimming in Guanabara Bay near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Olympic sailors competing in the Rio de Janeiro may navigate through fetid waters and possibly bump into floating trash. But if they are lucky enough, they might also sail past a few dozen dolphins that live in Guanabara Bay. Despite the untreated sewage and toxic industrial pollution that flows into bay waters, 34 Guiana dolphins live, breed and feed in the bay. (AP Photo/Renata Brito)(AP Photo/Renata Brito) lessIn this July 15, 2016 photo, a Guiana dolphin lifts its tail out of the water while swimming in Guanabara Bay near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Olympic sailors competing in the Rio de Janeiro may navigate through ... morePhoto: Renata Brito, Associated PressImage8of25
A trash-collecting boat called "eco-barco" (eco-boats) collect garbage at Guanabara Bay, where sailors will compete during the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 1, 2016. A fleet of 12 trash-collecting "eco-barcos" -- an emergency measure taken by Rio after having completely failed to deliver the promise of treating 80 percent of the pollution -- have spent months patrolling the bay, plucking an average of 45 tons of rubbish a month -- about one and a half tons daily -- from the water, according to officials. / AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDAVANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images lessA trash-collecting boat called "eco-barco" (eco-boats) collect garbage at Guanabara Bay, where sailors will compete during the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 1, 2016. A ... morePhoto: VANDERLEI ALMEIDA, AFP/Getty ImagesImage9of25
A man washes himself in the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 30, 2016. While local authorities including Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes have acknowledged the failure of the city�s water cleanup efforts, calling it a �lost chance� and a �shame,� Olympic officials continue to insist Rio�s waterways will be safe for athletes and visitors. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) lessA man washes himself in the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 30, 2016. While local authorities including Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes have acknowledged the failure of the ... morePhoto: Felipe Dana, Associated PressImage10of25
Waste litters the water as two sailors prepare for a training session at Rio de Janeiro's Guanabara Bay on August 1, 2016 ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WESTWILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images lessWaste litters the water as two sailors prepare for a training session at Rio de Janeiro's Guanabara Bay on August 1, 2016 ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WESTWILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty ... morePhoto: WILLIAM WEST, AFP/Getty ImagesImage11of25
FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2015 photo, Brazilian athletes Samuel Albrecht and Isabel Swan practice in Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A new pollution problem has surfaced in Guanabara Bay, the venue for sailing in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Sailors complained Monday about an oil slick that turned white boats brown with crews in town practicing for the Olympics, which open in a month. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File) lessFILE - In this Nov. 3, 2015 photo, Brazilian athletes Samuel Albrecht and Isabel Swan practice in Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A new pollution problem has surfaced in Guanabara Bay, the venue for ... morePhoto: Felipe Dana, Associated PressImage12of25
FILE - In this March 10, 2015, file photo, pigeons fly over the polluted Botafogo beach at Guanabara Bay during a tour for the press in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes' administration has failed to meet targets for cleaning up Rio’s notoriously polluted waterways, including some where Olympic events will be held. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File) lessFILE - In this March 10, 2015, file photo, pigeons fly over the polluted Botafogo beach at Guanabara Bay during a tour for the press in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes' administration ... morePhoto: Felipe Dana, Associated PressImage13of25
In this Nov. 5, 2015 photo, workers remove garbage collected by floating waste barriers in the Meriti River, which flows into Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A new round of testing by The Associated Press shows the city's Olympic waterways are as rife with pathogens far offshore as they are nearer land, where raw sewage flows into them from fetid rivers and storm drains. . (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) lessIn this Nov. 5, 2015 photo, workers remove garbage collected by floating waste barriers in the Meriti River, which flows into Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A new round of testing by The Associated ... morePhoto: Silvia Izquierdo, Associated PressImage14of25
In this Nov. 5, 2015 photo, trash floats in the Meriti River, which flows into Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The dozens of rivers that crisscross metropolitan Rio dump hundreds of millions of liters of raw sewage into the bay each day. By the government's own estimate, just half of the city's wastewater flowing into the bay is treated. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) lessIn this Nov. 5, 2015 photo, trash floats in the Meriti River, which flows into Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The dozens of rivers that crisscross metropolitan Rio dump hundreds of millions of liters ... morePhoto: Silvia Izquierdo, Associated PressImage15of25
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 04: Jessica Fox of Australia competes in Kayak (K1) Women during a practice session ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games at the Whitewater Stadium on August 4, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) lessRIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 04: Jessica Fox of Australia competes in Kayak (K1) Women during a practice session ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games at the Whitewater Stadium on August 4, 2016 in Rio de ... morePhoto: Christian Petersen, Getty ImagesImage16of25
Slovenia's canoeist Benjamin Savsek takes part in a training session at the Canoe and Kayak White Water X-Park stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 2, 2016, ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZACARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images lessSlovenia's canoeist Benjamin Savsek takes part in a training session at the Canoe and Kayak White Water X-Park stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 2, 2016, ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / ... morePhoto: CARL DE SOUZA, AFP/Getty ImagesImage17of25
Police officers have been welcoming travelers to the international airport in Rio with banners reading "Welcome to Hell" and other slogans. Heck of a greeting, right?lessPolice officers have been welcoming travelers to the international airport in Rio with banners reading "Welcome to Hell" and other slogans. Heck of a greeting, right?... morePhoto: VANDERLEI ALMEIDA, AFP/Getty ImagesImage18of25
Photo: Mario Tama, Getty ImagesImage19of25
Shortly after an Olympic torch ceremony on June 20 in Manaus, a jaguar used as a mascot during the occasion got loose from its handlers. A soldier shot the jaguar dead, a metaphor for the run-up to the Rio Olympics if we've ever seen one.lessShortly after an Olympic torch ceremony on June 20 in Manaus, a jaguar used as a mascot during the occasion got loose from its handlers. A soldier shot the jaguar dead, a metaphor for the run-up to the Rio ... morePhoto: JAIR ARAUJO, AFP/Getty ImagesImage20of25
The unsanitary waters off Rio are no surprise — it's been criticized for years. But what's in the water is so much worse than anyone thought. An AP investigation found that thousands of liters of raw, unfiltered human sewage pour into the ocean every second. lessThe unsanitary waters off Rio are no surprise — it's been criticized for years. But what's in the water is so much worse than anyone thought. An AP investigation found that thousands of liters of raw, ... morePhoto: Silvia Izquierdo, Associated PressImage21of25
Although they'll have air-conditioned comfort, they won't have televisions. Those are strictly bring-your-own. So hopefully the Olympians have a data plan and Netflix.
Although they'll have air-conditioned comfort, they won't have televisions. Those are strictly bring-your-own. So hopefully the Olympians have a data plan and Netflix.
Photo: Elise Amendola, Associated PressImage22of25
More than 145 public health experts signed an open letter to the World Health Organization in May asking the UN to consider moving or postponing the Rio Olympics because of the threat of Zika virus. Many high-profile athletes, like golfer Rory McIlroy, have already pulled out of the Olympics due to Zika. lessMore than 145 public health experts signed an open letter to the World Health Organization in May asking the UN to consider moving or postponing the Rio Olympics because of the threat of Zika virus. Many... morePhoto: Leo Correa, Associated PressImage23of25
Activists have reported that at least 4,120 families lost their homes because of the Olympics. The report claims that thousands of families were evicted to make room for Olympic venues. Other activist groups say the Brazilian government is "cleansing" homeless children and adults in advance of massive tourist crowds. lessActivists have reported that at least 4,120 families lost their homes because of the Olympics. The report claims that thousands of families were evicted to make room for Olympic venues. Other activist groups ... morePhoto: Mario TamaImage24of25
After the first construction firm filed for bankruptcy, the Olympic velodrome venue remained unfinished ahead of a test event in March. Olympic organizers found a second company to finish construction, but the velodrome got perilously close to being unfinished at the start of the games. lessPhoto: YASUYOSHI CHIBA, AFP/Getty ImagesImage25of25
Report: Olympic kayaker capsizes after hitting a sofa
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Pollutants may not be the only thing that get you in Rio's waters.
A Sky News reporter tweeted that an Olympic kayaker on a practice run capsized after hitting a sofa. The Olympic organizers are currently investigating.
It would hardly be a shocker if someone did encounter a rogue sofa. Photos of Guanabara Bay in the run-up to the Olympics showed all manner of trash and furniture in the waters.
MORE: Rio's waters so full of human sewage, athletes will be swimming in literal crap
In fact, it's not the sofas that are the real hazard. The water quality in Rio is so poor that scientists recommended athletes keep their mouths closed to avoid ingesting it.
An AP article from last week reported:
[A] survey of the aquatic Olympic and Paralympic venues has revealed consistent and dangerously high levels of viruses from the pollution, a major black eye on Rio's Olympic project that has set off alarm bells among sailors, rowers and open-water swimmers.
In light of the findings, biomedical expert Valerie Harwood had one piece of advice for travelers to Rio: "Don't put your head under water."
The kayak prelims take place on Sunday, so we'll keep you updated on any further furniture encounters.