There are lots of other beaches in Rio that could've been chosen to host the water events.

However, Rio wanted to have some sort of legacy after the olympic games, something to be proud of after spending so much money while people are suffering without health and security. So the governors chose Baía de Guanabara! It's poluted as fuck, but the intent was to cleanse it before the games and have it as the Olympic legacy.

As always, Brazil screwed it and the bay still is a shit hole. Hell, 2 days ago they found in the bay the body of a college student that was murdered nearby.

Source: Live in Brazil. Send help