Paris 2024 Prepares for Heat Extremes

(ATR) Temperatures in Paris subside to normal levels this week after setting records just days ago.

Last Thursday the heat soared to more than 42c (+107F), the highest-ever recorded in the French capital.

While the 2024 Olympics in Paris are still five years away, Around the Rings is told that planning is underway to deal with the possibility of dangerous extremes during the Games. The Paris Olympics are set for July 26 to August 11. According to the Paris 2024 candidature file, average daytime temperatures are in the range of 23c (73F)

"Addressing the possible high temperatures during Parisian summer ranks high in the Paris 2024 radar screen," Paris 2024 says in a statement to Around the Rings.

"Among the different measures already being worked out we can cite the specific request for the Olympic Village to be designed in a way it can be resilient enough to Parisian Climate conditions, as expected for 2050.

Paris says it also studying the measures being taken to mitigate concerns about hot weather next year inTokyo. In 2018, a heat wave pushed temperatures to 41c (106F) in some cities, the highest ever recorded in Japan.

As a result, extra steps have been ordered in Tokyo to prevent injuries and fatalities to athletes, staff and spectators.

The start times for the marathon are now set for 0600. The race walk at 0530, the earliest start times for both events.

Cooling sprays, tenting and other measures will be used at venues. Roadways will be coated with a film that keeps heat from being absorbed.

The 2020 Olympics are set for July 24 to August 9, the peak time for summer heat in Tokyo. This of course was not a problem in 1964 when the Tokyo Olympics took place from October 10 to 24.

Paris 2024 says in its statement that the attention to heat mitigation is one of the consequences of climatic change. The organizing committee says it is taking steps to use the Olympics as a force to combat this environmental threat.

"More widely, these climate issues are affecting sports and, most importantly, they are affecting the Planet. This is why Paris 2024 has formally pledged to be the first fully carbon neutral Games, and is working to leverage sports in favor of climate action," says Paris 2024.

Reported by Ed Hula.