Athletes can look forward to wading through poop in the 2016 Olympic Games. (Charlie Phillips/Flickr)

Brazilian environmental officials have conceded that the country will be unable to meet target goals to clean up the sewage-filled Guanabara Bay ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero. The iconic bay will be site to several Olympic sailing events.

The foul revelation was uncovered in a letter obtained by the Associated Press and addressed to the country's sports minister. 

Despite promises nearly five years ago to reduce the amount of fecal pollution pouring into the bay by 80 percent, almost 70 percent of the city's sewage continues to flow into Guanabara Bay.

According to The Atlantic, the water body "has 78 times Brazil's legally allowed limit of fecal pollution" and is capable of producing a terrifying smorgasbord of waterborne illnesses. Visible sewage in the bay has understandably miffed some of the athletes that must wade through water brimming with feces.

“I’ve been sailing all over the world for 20 years now, and this is the most polluted place I’ve ever been,” Allan Norregaard told the Associated Press in December.

You can read more at FOX Sports and The Atlantic.

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