U.K News
Paris Olympics Brings Out Hoses And Misters To Cool Down Fans During Heat Wave
PARIS — The 2024 Olympics were memorably kicked off with a rain-soaked opening ceremony that soaked athletes and fans alike. They are now experiencing the polar opposite on Tuesday: a heat wave.
The national weather agency has issued a heat wave warning for most of France. Temperatures in Paris and nearby areas are forecast to reach 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) or higher. Air conditioning is significantly less common in French houses, stores, and restaurants than in countries such as the United States.
Olympics | AP news image
Paris Olympics Brings Out Hoses And Misters To Cool Down Fans During Heat Wave
“It’s really hot out there,” German women’s tennis star Angelique Kerber said on Tuesday after winning her singles match. “You just try to take your time during the breaks.”
The heat was forecast to be considerably worse in the south, especially the area surrounding the Mediterranean city of Marseille, which is hosting Olympic activities such as sailing and football. On Monday, temperatures in portions of southern France reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and were forecast to reach that level again on Tuesday.
Back-to-back global heat records were set last week as climate change makes extreme weather more common and intense. The Paris 2024 organizers have tried to reduce the event’s carbon footprint by using an underfloor cooling system and insulation instead of air conditioning in the Olympic Village, where athletes will reside. Some countries, including the United States, brought their air conditioning systems.
Visitors and athletes had a hot and sunny Tuesday before thunderstorms were due to hit the Paris area in the evening. People took a plunge in a popular swimming canal in Paris or fanned themselves at exposed Olympic venues.
Volunteers used hoses to shower down applauding fans at the shadeless beach volleyball stadium near the Eiffel Tower and posted signs directing them to water replenishing stations. Spectators sought shade under trees, while players on the sun-baked sand—which may be more than 20 degrees Celsius (30 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than the air temperature—took extra rests to drape bags of ice over their heads and shoulders.
“Very hot,” Egyptian beach volleyball player Doaa Elghobashy said after competing in long sleeves, trousers and a headscarf. “But not like Egypt.”
A few misters were installed at La Concorde Urban Park, which has hosted skateboarding and BMX freestyle riding. The Paris area’s rail and metro operator said it was distributing more than 2.5 million water containers at over 70 train stations, other stops on its network, including bus stops.
The equestrian teams were washing their horses with cool water and keeping them in the shade after completing the course, which did not take long. Riders also stated that they reduced the warmup time from 45 minutes to half an hour before competitions in the imperial gardens of the Palace of Versailles outside Paris.
Olympics | AP news Image
“It’s really hot, but you have to be professional about it,” British rider Carl Hester said following an event on Tuesday. “There are plenty of stroll breaks to allow the horses to relax. We have a covered arena, which keeps the sun off their backs.”
German rider Julia Krajewski, the defending Olympic champion in individual eventing, stated that she “would be more worried for the spectators to be honest.”
She remarked on Monday that she was not concerned about competing in her thick jacket, helmet, and heavy boots since “I personally prefer the heat,” but “you have to be sensitive, know your horse.”
Some other athletes were not as concerned.
Coco Gauff, a U.S. tennis player, claimed Monday, before the worst of the heat, that she “felt good” after her match and that it was “like playing in Florida.”
“I did use the ice towel, which I rarely do during matches, but it was more of a precaution,” the reigning U.S. Open champion said a day before being ousted in singles competition.
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, who defeated Spain’s Rafael Nadal on Monday, noted that it was “pretty hot on the court,” contrasting to Saturday’s rain. “Paris weather is quite unpredictable,” he informed me.
Olympics | AP news Image
Paris Olympics Brings Out Hoses And Misters To Cool Down Fans During Heat Wave
“It’s pretty crazy heat, more than Miami,” remarked Stater, who hails from the humid Florida city.
According to Stater, staying hydrated is a primary priority, especially because windsurfers are outfitted with heavy safety gear.
Weather authorities are giving the same advice to anyone planning to go outside on Tuesday: Hydrate, avoid going out in the afternoon when it is hot, and wear a hat.
According to France’s national weather bureau, heat waves are becoming “increasingly intense, frequent, early, and long-lasting” due to climate change. The report states that such high temperatures were reported on average once every five years prior to 1989 but have been repeated every year since 2000. This suggests that the tendency will continue to increase.
SOURCE | AP
