Rio officials to use helicopters, GPS to clean up trash in Guanabara Bay

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Helicopters will circle overhead starting at 6 a.m. to spot any floating rubbish. Below, trash-collecting boats receiving GPS coordinates will sweep up debris before each day of Olympic sailing kicks off in Rio de Janeiro's Guanabara Bay.

World Sailing head Andy Hunt said that holding the Olympics in the polluted bay requires "numerous unusual contingency plans to make sure the field of play is fair and safe."

He said these include floating barriers to keep rubbish from entering the bay and hygiene briefings for sailors and staff.

Hunt told The Associated Press that Rio is difficult, raising a comparison with the yacht-filled New England harbor of Newport.

Said Hunt: "We wouldn't be out sailing in Newport with spotting helicopters and eco-boats."