Oxford, Cambridge rowing teams warned about polluted waters ahead of race [Video]

The coach of Oxford’s crew taking part in the Boat Race described the pollution in London’s River Thames as a “national disgrace” as the company responsible for its upkeep faces mounting financial difficulties that critics say will need it to be taken back into state hands.

Testing by a campaign group has found high levels of E.coli along a section of the Thames in southwest London that will be used for the historic race on Saturday.

Crew members have been warned about the risks of entering the water and advised to use a “cleansing station” at the finish area. The pollution has also cast doubt on the post-race tradition of throwing the winning cox into the water.

HEALTH WARNING ISSUED TO BOAT RACE CREWS OVER LEVELS OF E.COLI IN THAMES

It comes as figures released by the Environment Agency showed the level of sewagespills into England’s rivers and seas by water companies more than doubled in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching 3.6 million …