Athletes aren’t the only ones feeling the heat at this summer’s 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, fans are also experiencing scorching heats with parts of Paris hitting 97 Fahrenheit. Cities in Southern France - which are hosting events like soccer and sailing – have reached temperatures as high as 105 Fahrenheit.
Air conditioning is not as commonplace in European countries as it is in the United States. Olympic organizers have installed underfloor cooling systems and insulation instead of air conditioning in the Olympic Village to cut down the event’s carbon footprint, AP reports. Some countries, like the United States, have opted to bring their own units.
Still, the heat wave came as a surprise to some attendees. Olympic volunteers used hoses to spray down fans at the beach volleyball venue and put up signs about water stations. Athletes, on the other hand, took extra breaks to drape bags of ice over their heads and shoulders in shaded areas.
According to AP, attendees have enjoyed the misting fountains that have been set up in venues that host skateboarding and freestyle cycling. Meanwhile, the Paris area’s train has distributed more than 2.5 million containers of water at over 70 stations and other stops on its network, AP reports.
Still, athletes and organizers are doing what they can to stay cool in this type of weather in hopes to secure a gold medal. Organizers have activated an “extreme weather” protocol, allowing athletes in singles matches a chance to request a 10-minute break before third sets. The next step is to suspend play. However, some athletes are citing the heat as part of their reason for losing, AP reports.
According to AP, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has urged people to limit outdoor activities during the day, hydrate and find shade and protect vulnerable people. He also said Olympics organizers were following the heat advisory seriously.
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market.
