ALBAWABA - As Paris anticipates hosting the Paris 2024 Olympics six months from now, a new study has raised some concerns about the potential for severe heatwaves during the games.
The study, published in the NPJ Climate and Atmospheric Science journal, presented climate simulations predicting the risk of record-breaking high temperatures in the French capital.
Potential heatwaves risks at Paris 2024 Olympics
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Lead author Pascal Yiou emphasized the possibility of surpassing the all-time heat record set in Paris in 2003, citing the impact of climate change over the past two decades.
The statistics revealed by the study highlighted the heat-related death rates in Paris, with the events of 2003 resulting in 15000 fatalities, mostly among vulnerable elderly individuals living alone
The organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympics are actively trying to address the climate-related risks to the games, including considering adjustments to event schedules to decrease the effects of extreme heat.
The athletes' village, built without air conditioning to meet environmental standards, has been a point of concern, pushing French organizers to offer portable air conditioners to visiting delegations.
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The challenges posed by heatwaves at sporting events were evidenced during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, considered one of the hottest on record. With athletes increasingly facing harsh climatic conditions, training adaptations, and innovative solutions are being explored to ensure their safety and well-being in the face of rising temperatures.
The Paris 2024 Olympics seem to be poised to test the preparedness of organizers and participants alike in tackling the impacts of climate change on major international sporting events.
