Something very odd happened to the Olympic diving pool in Rio last night.
After being the standard blue for the men’s diving the night before, it turned a deep green by the time the women’s competitions were underway.
Tom Daley, who won a medal for Britain the previous evening, pointed it out online. When he was diving the two pools were the same colour.
Ermmm...what happened?! pic.twitter.com/pdta7EpP2k
— Tom Daley (@TomDaley1994) August 9, 2016
Many questioned the safety of the now bright-green water.
They say the green water is not dangerous but it's ruined @TomDaley1994's hair. pic.twitter.com/Jhs46mcGB0
— Ben Hickey (@BenMCHickey) August 9, 2016
Bit surprised people are diving in that green pool and still coming out with a full head of hair and haven't grown a third eye #Rio2016
— Ben Wills (@_BenWills) August 9, 2016
Why is the diving pool green? Is it dangerous?
— Pete (@NoLimitSoldier) August 9, 2016
Commentators were baffled.
"The diving pool has turned green and no one knows why." Good #Rio2016 quote at the media center.
— Andrew Sharp (@andrewsharp) August 9, 2016
Literally this guy commenting on the diving on @BBCSport is cracking me up 😂😂 . Someone please tell the guy why the pool is green #Rio2016
— That Girl (@InThePurpleCoat) August 9, 2016
Some people had the nerve to cast blame in our direction.
the olympic diving pool is green... Ireland I'm lookin at you
— issy (@euphoricized) August 9, 2016
Genius move from @Failte_Ireland dying the diving pool green - not just paddy's day anymore obviously #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/2DtR79QZJQ
— Kieran O'Brien (@SportingLimk) August 9, 2016
This guy knew exactly which prankster he held responsible.
Good to see @paddyb_ireland up to his old tricks again and turning the pool green for the women's diving pic.twitter.com/ej9yeBa6Dg
— Jonathan (@handjonathan) August 9, 2016
And there was some frankly lazy stereotyping.
Perhaps if the Irish didn't bring so many damn leprechauns to #Rio2016 the swimming pool wouldn't be green. #Olympics #womensdiving #Ireland
— Whitepaw the Cat (@WhitePaw2012) August 10, 2016
The fact that commentators on RTÉ didn’t even mention the colour change only added to suspicions.
The Diving has been on RTE for a solid ten minutes here and the commentator has yet to make reference to fact the water has turned green.
— Gavin Cooney (@gcooney93) August 9, 2016
In fact, some people are still debating our possible involvement this morning.
This is the green #Rio2016 pool that the lads were just talking about on @Republic2fm.
— RTÉ 2fm (@RTE2fm) August 10, 2016
Did we do this?! 😷🇮🇪 #2FM pic.twitter.com/ujMcYar2WM
It just keeps getting greener.
But don’t worry – organisers have said everything is absolutely fine.
The water quality at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre was tested and there were no risks for the athletes. We are investigating the cause.
— Rio 2016 (@Rio2016_en) August 9, 2016
