RATS are scampering around the deck of Kowloon Park swimming pool, which is used for training by the Hongkong team, even though officials say they have taken measures to stamp out the problem after a dead rat was found at the bottom of the pool last month.
Early morning swimmers report frequent sightings of rats on the deck of the complex's 50-metre pool and one swimmer said he had seen what appeared to be blood near the pool edge.
The swimmers, members of Hongkong's national swimming team, were especially shaken when they saw a drowned rat at the bottom of the pool early last month as they reported for their daily 5.30 am session.
After the incident, the Urban Services Department, which manages Kowloon Park pool, said it called in pest control and had the Architectural Services Department put wire mesh on ducts and other possible entrances for the rats.
But the rats have continued to appear.
One young swimmer, who asked not to be identified, said he saw at least one rat most mornings, either on the deck or coming out from under the diving blocks.
Last year, one swimmer killed a rat, he said.
''The pool is not clean by any means. A couple of times I've seen what looked like blood to me on the edge of the pool and, in this day and age, that's not good,'' he said.
''If you have athlete's foot or a small cut, this is a health hazard.'' Mr Bill Sweetenham, coach of the team, said he had complained about the rats and action had been taken.
''I think they are addressing the issues but it's certainly a facility that could do with a bit of polish and a clean-up, that's for sure,'' he said.
He said the team had no choice but to use the pool because it was the best for training and was centrally-located.
''I'm not going to be publicly critical of anyone because I desperately need the pool to train my team,'' he said.
About 15 swimmers train at the pool, which offers them sessions from 5.30 am to 6.30 am, and from 4 pm to 6.30 pm.
The rats are not seen in the afternoon because the crowds scare them away.
Mr Sweetenham said the pool water itself was clean and the Urban Services Department said it tested the water daily, including after the drowned rat was discovered, and found it safe.
The Urban Services Department said it had received no complaints about live rats in the pool area.
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