[Reporter’s Notebook] "No Air Conditioner" Paris Olympics: Even the Heat Depends on National Power

The biggest star of the Paris Olympics, set to open on the 26th of next month (local time), is not the opening ceremony or the star athletes, but the air conditioner. This is because the whole world is buzzing about the 'No Air Conditioner' Olympics.

Initially, the Olympics aimed to be eco-friendly and decided not to provide air conditioners in the athletes' village. However, as a heatwave exceeding 40 degrees Celsius was forecasted, some countries decided to secure air conditioners on their own. The difference in national economic power is also evident in air conditioning. According to The Washington Post (WP), countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Greece, and Australia are preparing their own air conditioners. On the other hand, developing countries cannot even dream of this. Uganda and others have appealed that they do not have the funds to support air conditioners.

The Olympics are not fair. Looking at the number of medals, advanced countries dominate the top ranks. National power and medal acquisition are almost proportional. In developed countries, talent can be identified early and trained in excellent facilities. Conversely, even if someone has world-class talent, if they are born into a low-income family in a developing country, the likelihood of never discovering their talent throughout their life is high. Even after becoming a national representative, developed countries invest huge amounts to maintain athletes in optimal condition from head to toe, but in developing countries, it is not easy to procure air conditioners in the scorching heat.

Nevertheless, the reason the whole world is enthusiastic about the Olympics is that the games themselves have rules. In reality, if you have money, you can buy a fast track and avoid waiting in line for hours. However, in sports, because there are rules, no matter how many trillions you pay, you cannot start first or run on a shorter track just for yourself.

This air conditioner controversy is different from the astronomical costs invested in cutting-edge technology in sportswear. Eco-friendliness is a kind of rule at the Paris Olympics, but only wealthy countries are using air conditioners as a 'fast track.'

Developing countries inevitably feel uncomfortable. When looking at carbon emissions since the Industrial Revolution, developed countries are overwhelming. However, the damage caused by climate change is more vulnerable in developing countries than in developed countries in the Northern Hemisphere. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany predicts that if greenhouse gases continue to be emitted at the current rate until 2049, the damage to low-income countries with low carbon emissions will be 61% greater than that to high-income countries. If countries cannot provide air conditioners due to financial issues and this negatively affects athletes' performance, the damage to low-income countries in the Olympics is obvious.

In fact, the summer weather in Paris is hot enough to affect athletes' health and performance. According to CBS in the U.S., compared to the 1924 Paris Olympics, the average temperature in Paris during the Olympic period has risen by 3.1 degrees Celsius. In recent years, the temperature in Paris at the end of July has hovered around 40 degrees Celsius. Last summer alone, over 5,000 people died from the heat in France.

The original purpose of the 'No Air Conditioner' issue?to raise awareness of the seriousness of environmental problems?has been achieved. If it were not for the air conditioner controversy, the world might not have known that Paris's temperature has risen by more than 3 degrees in 100 years. However, a new challenge has emerged: the disparity in wealth between countries can affect competition results and athletes' health. Given the serious concerns about the heatwave, air conditioners should be provided to all athletes so that everyone competes under the same rules. Practicing eco-friendliness is the responsibility of not just a few athletes but people worldwide.