But it could also bring unwanted attention if sailors fall ill or the debris in the water catches on rudders and costs someone an Olympic gold medal.
Sowrey said looking at Guanabara Bay on "fact-based, data-driven model we would never consider sailing in that quality of water".
Independent testing of the bay conducted by the AP over the past year revealed disease-causing viruses linked to human sewage at levels thousands of times above what would be considered alarming in the US or Europe. The tests include the venue for sailing but also Rio's Olympic venues for rowing, canoeing, open-water swimming and triathlon.
About 1,600 athletes will compete in these venues during the Olympics, and hundreds more during the subsequent Paralympics.
When he first learned of the AP analysis, Sowrey supported the same kind of independent viral testing but he said he was nudged to support the position adopted by the International Olympic Committee, the World Health Organisation and local organisers; that the bacteria-only testing was sufficient. "I was just stepping on toes," Sowrey said.