The Rio Olympics officially start today, with the opening ceremonies happening tonight. Of course, the athletes, coaches and support staff are already there. Housing Olympic athletes always presents some plumbing issues. It was only a few games ago when too many condoms flushed down the toilet caused problems. This year, the Brits decided to get ahead of the issue by bringing their own plumber to the Olympics with them.
We think it’s a brilliant move. Because we provide plumbing services in NYC we understand what dealing with clogged toilets, backed up sinks, and leaky pipes is all about. Rio is, of course, one of the world’s premiere tourist destinations. They’re used to having crowds there. But the sheer amount of people associated with hosting the Olympics is different. There are 10,000+ athletes and more than 500,000 spectators expected. This type of population influx means that there will be more need for plumbing services than the local talent can be expected to supply.
In Rio, as with many Olympic games, the athlete’s village is new construction. That means the plumbing is being tested out for the very first time in many cases. Discovering drain pipes aren’t securely in place can be traumatic. Faucets that don’t work are frustrating. Water quality is a concern for many of the Olympic athletes – particularly those who have to compete in the water – leaving many with questions about if the water is safe to drink or shower with.
Having a trusted plumbing professional who can provide prompt service as needed can quite literally be a game changer. We applaud Great Britain’s foresight and planning. Of course we have to cheer for Team USA – this year, there are 554 Americans competing for the gold and we hope they all win! Best wishes for all of the competitors – and if you’re a spectator here in NYC and you discover you have a plumbing problem, you know who to call!
