A bathroom by the pool

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BEIJING -- Only at the Olympics would a simple trip to the bathroom result in a lesson in drug testing.

At the Water Cube swimming venue earlier this week, when asking for the location of the nearest bathroom, I was directed to a tiny room next to the pool.

I thought it was a strange place for a journalist’s john, then when I entered, I thought it was even stranger.

One toilet was surrounded by a stall door that contained a large hole and no lock.

I was soon joined by an antsy guy wearing only a bathing cap and a towel, and an older guy who looked like a coach.

Turns out, the swimmer was headed into the stall to urinate for a drug test, and the older guy was apparently going to watch him through the hole in the door to make sure he didn’t cheat.

They were both clearly surprised to see me there. Turns out, when I tried to use the same bathroom a day later, I was stopped by officials who directed me upstairs.

Apparently, only my readers feel I should tested for drugs.

-- Bill Plaschke

A woman walks amongst the fountains near the National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube. Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images