The international swimming body criticised Rio Olympic organisers over "disrespect" and substandard facilities.

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The international swimming federation has strongly criticised the organisers of next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro over what it says are substandard facilities and "disrespect" for aquatic events.

FINA, which oversees some of the Olympics' most-watched events, attacked the organisers and Rio mayor Eduardo Paes on various grounds including slashing the seating capacity at the main pool, according to a FINA letter obtained by SNTV.

Athletes' health and safety could be at risk from viruses in the area of sea used for open water swimming events, FINA warns.

They are particularly critical of changes to the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, the main pool for swimming's most-watched events.

FINA says design changes mean the stadium will seat only 12,500-13,000 people compared with 17,500 for the main pool at the last Olympics in London.

The letter demands testing for virus levels in the water off the Copacabana beach, which will be used for men's and women's marathon swimming events.

Organisers agreed to test for viruses earlier this month after earlier insisting that only bacterial testing was required.

About 1,400 athletes will compete in the hazardous waters.