The water at the Army Sports Complex pool, which went from black to brown to dark green last week, improved to a light green Wednesday -- with the bottom clearly visible.
"The only thing I don't like about this pool is losing in it," said U.S. head coach Rich Corso after his team lost 9-4 to Russia. Coupled with Tuesday's 11-8 loss to Germany, the Americans were eliminated from medal contention.
"I don't care what color the pool is, just that the water is wet," said U.S. team captain and goalie Chris Duplanty. "The pool color can be red or purple. I couldn't care less. It has no bearing on the game."
Angry St. Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak said Wednesday that he and Goodwill Games president Jack Kelly would put on a swimming exhibition at the pool next week to show the water is safe.
"I am personally going to swim, and Jack Kelly has agreed to swim as well," Sobchak said.
Sobchak threatened to sue a Swedish firm, contracted to renovate the pool, over the faulty filtration system which caused a one-day postponement of the swimming events last week. Swedish swimmers pulled out of the competition, while others called the pool the "Black Lagoon."
The Goodwill Games water polo field is among the season's strongest, a tune-up for the swimming world championships in Rome in September. Only Hungary -- where water polo is the national sport -- has sent its second team to give its top side a rest after winning last week's Korona Cup.
In the two other first-round games through Wednesday, Italy and Spain played an 8-8 draw and Spain defeated Hungary 15-7. Italy is probably the favorite for Saturday's gold medal. The Italians have taken almost every major championship since their three-overtime win over Spain in the gold-medal game in the Barcelona Olympics.
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