I remember being out there for a couple of weeks during rainy season once when the pond overflowed. There was 'stuff' all over the main road running alongside. Not to bad if you were in one of the pick-ups, or vans, bloddy awful if you were in our open sided/topped Land-Rover. You went through the puddle and had Sugar sprayed all over the vehicle (and you if you were unlucky!!)......
Apparently the stagnant water is a breeding ground for Denghi Fever which is serious. Also if the stadia ceilings are not safe and the bridge isn't safe - what else is safe?
There were no toilets for the many workmen on site so they have been using the apartments as toilets and there is urine and faeces all over the place - would you want to go?
When our Spanish apartment building was painted some years ago, the workmen broke into our apartment and used the toilet - of course as it was winter the water was turned off - you can imagine the mess we came to the following Spring!!!!
yes, they planned to plant all these shrubs everywhere, dug holes, then never got the plants, so the holes filled up with stagnant water and now dengue fever is on the loose. I wouldn't blame any athlete who decided it wasn't worth the risk.