Is Edmonton's world championship triathlon threatened by blue-green algae?

A team of lake water experts is now fighting the clock, hoping to clean up a bloom of blue-green algae in Hawrelak Park in time forone of the city's biggest international events.

In just 10 days, athletes from all over the world are expected to compete in Edmonton at the International Triathlon Union's world championship.

But a sludge of blue-green algae has infested Hawrelak lake, and Alberta Health Services has issued a health advisory warning the water isn't safe to swim in.

"From a health perspective, if held today, it wouldn't be a smart idea," said Dr. Chris Sikora, medical officer of health for theAHS Edmonton zone."But we have some time to be able to think about this, and take some steps to reduce and make the water quality safe.

"Hundreds of elite athletes are expected to compete next weekend, so organizers have brought in a team of scientists and lake water experts to work on the issue.

"We put a lot of onus on them to make sure that we do create a safe swimming venue at Hawrelak Park for this event," said Rob Smyth, branch manager of community and recreation facilities for the city. "So, it's all hands on deck for those individuals to determine how to move forward."

The triathlon is a huge event that helps keep Edmonton on the world stage, said Smyth.

"So this is absolutely critical. We will do some heavy lifting over the next hours and day to move this forward."

Blue-green algae can cause skin rash, and those who accidentallyswallow the water can get sick.

That's why the triathlon organizing committee is making safety its top priority.

"Triathlon is about overcoming challenges, and this certainly is a challenge," said Don Lowry, chairman of the local triathlon organizing committee. "But the occurrence of blue-green algae is not an unusual phenomenon. This occurs all throughout lakes and streams in this part of the country and elsewhere. We will take our time, we will work with the experts."

The algae bloom might clear up on its own before the event but organizers want to be prepared in case it doesn't.

A plan is expected to be in place within the next 48 hours.