The extreme heat that meteorologists predicted has arrived in Paris for the 2024 Olympics, with temperatures expected to reach highs of 35 degrees Celsius. France’s meteorological agency issued a yellow alert weather warning for Paris and the surrounding areas, with an orange alert for strong thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and lightning likely.
In the men’s tennis second round at Roland-Garros, players Taylor-Fritz and Jack Draper felt the heat, with Draper especially struggling to cope. Both players took an extended break during the match, with Draper even holding a bag of ice over his face to cool down. Taylor-Fritz ultimately emerged victorious as commentators noted the toll the heat had taken on Draper.
The extreme heat also impacted the men’s hockey pool match between Great Britain and Netherlands at Stade Yves-du-Manoir in Paris. The break between quarters was extended to four minutes to allow players more recovery time. Players were seen hydrating and using cold towels to cool down during the match.
Canadian beach volleyball players Melissa Humana-Paredes & Brandie Wilkerson had a “scorching start” to their campaign in the heat, winning their match against Paraguay. Humana-Paredes revealed that they used ice packs and scarves on their heads to cope with the high temperatures during the match.
In Marseilles, where the Olympic sailing events are taking place, athletes are also facing the challenge of the hot weather. Some athletes were seen wearing vests filled with ice packs to stay cool, with one windsurfer describing the heat as even more intense than Miami.
Spectators watching outdoor events at the Olympics are also having to cope with the heat. Signs advise visitors to wear hats, stay hydrated, and reapply sunscreen. Organizers have installed misting fans and are providing notifications on apps about the high temperatures and available water fountains. Madeleine Orr, a spectator at Paris 2024, emphasized the importance of building flexibility into schedules to account for extreme weather events like the heatwave currently affecting the games.
