Oxford coach blasts Thames pollution as a national disgrace ahead of Boat Race with Cambridge

By STEVE DOUGLAS and PAN PYLAS
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — The coach of Oxford’s crew taking part in the Boat Race has described the pollution in London’s River Thames as a “national disgrace.” His team has also expressed concerns about maintaining the post-event tradition of throwing the winning cox into the water. Testing by a campaign group has found high levels of E.coli along a section of the Thames in southwest London that will be used for the historic race on Saturday. Crew members have been warned about the risk of entering the water and advised to use a “cleansing station” at the finish area. The company responsible for the upkeep of the Thames faces mounting financial difficulties that critics say should force the company to return to state hands.