2024 Olympics: Athletes Tackle Extreme Weather Challenges

The 2024 Olympics: Battling the Elements

The 2024 Olympics kicked off with an opening ceremony that was drenched in rain, leaving both athletes and spectators soaked. However, just two days later, the weather took a drastic turn, presenting a different challenge altogether. Paris experienced a heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a sweltering 36 degrees Celsius.

Among the athletes, US gymnastics gold medalist Simone Biles took to Instagram to share her struggles with the extreme heat and lack of air conditioning. “Don’t come for me about my hair,” Biles humorously noted before the gymnastics team final. “IT WAS DONE but the bus has NO AC, and it feels like 9,000 degrees. Oh, and a 45-minute ride!”

As visitors and athletes braved the sweltering heat, they looked forward to a cooling change with thunderstorms predicted to sweep through the Paris area later in the evening. In the meantime, many sought relief by splashing into the cool waters of a popular swimming canal or finding respite under the shade at the exposed Olympic venues.

UK tourist Sarah David perfectly encapsulated the day’s strategy: “Eating lots of ice cream, drinking plenty of water, and I even bought a new fan!”

Coping with the Heat: Creative Solutions for Volunteers and Spectators

To help combat the extreme temperatures, volunteers at the beach volleyball stadium near the iconic Eiffel Tower employed hoses to spray down cheering fans and put up signs directing people to water refill stations. Spectators sought shelter under trees, while athletes playing on the sunbaked sand—often 20°C hotter than the air—were granted extra breaks to drape bags of ice over their bodies.

Egyptian beach volleyball player Doaa Elghobashy shared her experience, stating, “Very hot, but not like Egypt,” after competing in long sleeves, trousers, and a hijab.

People found solace in misting fountains set up in various parts of Paris and venues like La Concorde urban park, which hosted events such as skateboarding and BMX freestyle cycling. The local train and metro operator stepped up efforts by distributing over 2.5 million containers of water at more than 70 train stations and bus stops throughout the network.

The New Zealand women’s rugby sevens team resorted to slushies, ice blocks, shade, and cold baths to stay cool prior to their matches. Captain Sarah Hirini remarked, “We’ve got everything we possibly can to cool down before the game. When you play sevens, it’s hard.”

Protecting Animals: Equestrian Teams Adapt to the Heat

In the equestrian events, teams took extra precautions to ensure the well-being of their horses. Riders sprayed their steeds with cool water and kept them shaded after competing on the course. The warm-up sessions were reduced from 45 minutes to just half an hour to help the animals cope with the heat inside the regal gardens of the Palace of Versailles, located just outside Paris.

British rider Carl Hester commented, “It’s really hot, but you have to be professional about it. We take lots of walk breaks so the horses can relax. Thankfully, we have a covered arena to shield them from the sun.”

Tennis Players Face the Heat: Emergency Protocols in Action

At Roland Garros, where tennis players battled it out on outdoor courts, organizers activated the initial phase of an “extreme weather” protocol. This allowed athletes in singles matches to request a 10-minute break before the third set, with the possibility of suspending play if conditions worsened.

British tennis player Jack Draper expressed his frustration, noting that he was not provided with enough cold water during his match. “I’m a big sweater,” Draper admitted, still perspiring heavily half an hour after his three-set loss to Taylor Fritz of the US. “The bottles don’t stay cool. We were drinking hot water out there.”

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 US Open runner-up, also voiced her concerns about the “crazy heat” following her elimination at the hands of Germany’s Angelique Kerber. “I trained in Spain and Miami, where it is hot—but this type of weather is different,” she explained. “Sometimes in a match, it’s a totally different environment. In the heat, you feel all your emotions… I didn’t manage it well.”

In light of the oppressive heat, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal urged citizens to limit outdoor activities during peak hours, stay hydrated, seek shade, and protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children. He reassured the public that the Olympics organizers were closely monitoring the “severe heat wave.”