The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris will see the participation of the U.S. Olympic team and national sports federations from a few other countries that will be providing their athletes with air conditioners, despite the organizers’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The Athletes Village, which will house more than 15,000 Olympians and sports officials, will be equipped with a system of cooling pipes under the floors to cool rooms. However, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland announced that the U.S. team will be supplying AC units for their athletes during the Summer Games, citing the importance of consistency and predictability in performance.
In addition to the U.S., other countries that are planning to bring air conditioners to the Paris Games include Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada, Great Britain, and Japan. The organizers’ environmental plan aims to keep the rooms in the Athletes Village between 23-26 degrees Celsius, or 73-79 degrees Fahrenheit, with the average high temperature in Paris on Aug. 1 being around 26 degrees Celsius. The rooms will also be equipped with fans as part of the plan to maintain a comfortable temperature for the athletes.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo expressed her desire for the Paris Games to be exemplary from an environmental point of view, highlighting the importance of sustainability in organizing the event. Less than 10% of households in Europe have air conditioning, with even fewer in Paris, according to the International Energy Agency. The agency also reported that the majority of the 1.6 billion AC units in use worldwide in 2016 were in China and the U.S., while the European Union had a much lower number.
France has invested $1.5 billion to clean the Seine River in preparation for aquatic events at the Summer Games, as the river remains too polluted to host sports. This demonstrates the extensive efforts being made to ensure the success of the Olympic Games in Paris. Despite the organizers’ environmental initiatives, the decision to provide air conditioning for athletes reflects the priority placed on their comfort and performance during the event. The participation of national sports federations in providing AC units further emphasizes the importance of supporting athletes in their pursuit of excellence on the world stage.
