For athletes, water isn’t just for hydration, it underpins performance, health, and safety. In water sports, even small lapses in quality can expose competitors to bacteria, viruses, or parasites, with risks ranging from stomach bugs to serious infections.

Dr Edoardo Bertone, Senior Lecturer at Griffith University reflects:

The recent spotlight on the Seine during the Paris Olympics showed how water quality concerns can overshadow world-class events.

Traditionally, monitoring relies on lab testing that can take days to deliver results - too slow when decisions about competition safety need to be made in real time.

Emerging sensing technologies and predictive modelling offer promising ways to provide quicker risk estimates, helping organisers and athletes respond faster. While not yet a full replacement for lab tests, these tools are an important step towards safer, more resilient aquatic sport venues.

To learn more, contact the Australian Rivers Institute.

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