"RIO DE JANEIRO — The head of rowing's governing body says races at next year's Olympics could be delayed because of severe water pollution at the venue.

In an interview with The Associated Press, World Rowing Federation executive director Matt Smith said events may be suspended for a day or two if pollution spikes. But he says athletes are "not a high risk" with no plans to abandon the small lake in central Rio, site of a massive fish die-off last month.

"The situation is not traumatic or dangerous from what we understand so far," Smith said. "But we want to get all the facts and explanations."

Much of the water around Rio de Janeiro is polluted."

Stephen Wade reports for the Associated Press May 8, 2015. [2]