The U.S. Olympic team, alongside other nations, will supply air conditioners for athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics, contradicting the event’s focus on reducing carbon emissions. This move reflects a priority on athletes’ performance and comfort over environmental objectives set by the organizers.
U.S. Olympic Team to Provide Air Conditioners for Athletes at Paris 2024 Games
The U.S. Olympic team, along with Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada, and Britain, will supply air conditioners for their athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics, countering the environmental initiatives set by organizers.
Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, announced the decision, citing the critical importance of “consistency and predictability” for athletes’ performance.
The Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, aim to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Organizers plan to cool the Athletes Village using a system of cooling pipes beneath the floors and keep room temperatures between 23-26 degrees Celsius (73-79 degrees Fahrenheit).
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo emphasized that she wants the Games to be exemplary from an environmental standpoint. The average high temperature in Paris in early August is 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit). According to the International Energy Agency, air conditioner usage is relatively low in Europe, with less than 10% of households having AC units.
Competitiveness and comfort remain paramount for the incoming athletes, leading several countries to prioritize their teams’ performance capabilities over the environmental goals of the host city.
