In their bid for the 2016 Olympic Games, Brazil made assurances that the pollution in Rio de Janeiro’s Guanabara Bay would be resolved. However, Olympic bidders have a history of not following through on promises, and this failure required emergency efforts (and controversy) to safely host the Sailing events.

A year later, and without the spotlight of the Games, the local community continued their fight for a healthy bay, and that fight continues today as Guanabara Bay is still suffocated by trash. Two-time Olympic champion Martine Grael was among around 50 volunteers recently involved in a clean-up effort. “What we really want are actions that make a difference,” said Grael, 34. – Full report