Extreme heat poses danger to athletes at Paris Olympics

Forecasts predict the Paris Olympics could experience record-breaking heat, threatening athlete safety.

Ben Doherty reports for The Guardian.

In short:

• A report, Rings of Fire: Heat Risks at the 2024 Paris Olympics, warns of extreme heat risks for athletes, highlighting the increased dangers since the Tokyo 2021 games.
• Paris has warmed by 1.8°C since 1924, with more frequent and intense heatwaves, risking athletes' health and performance.
• The International Olympic Committee acknowledges the growing threat of extreme heat, proposing measures to protect athletes.

Key quote:

"We now know the Paris Games have the potential to surpass [Tokyo’s heat record]."

— Emma Pocock, chief executive of FrontRunners

Why this matters:

Extreme heat poses severe health risks to athletes, from heat cramps to life-threatening heatstroke. As global temperatures rise, the sustainability of outdoor sports events is increasingly jeopardized.