Deadly flies... '80% humidity in the sweltering heat' Is this okay as is? [Paris Olympics]

Paris Olympics Direct Hit by Climate Crisis

At the Tokyo Olympic archery venue held at Yumenoshima Park in 2021, Russian athlete Svetlana Gomboeva (23) was seen fainting due to the heatwave (Source=Yonhap News)

At the Tokyo Olympic archery venue held at Yumenoshima Park in 2021, Russian athlete Svetlana Gomboeva (23) participated in the women's archery ranking round. After shooting all 72 arrows and about to check her score, Gomboeva collapsed. She fainted due to exhaustion after standing under the scorching sun all day. She was immediately moved to the shade and treated with ice packs before recovering, but this incident demonstrated how the 'climate crisis' has become a reality in sports venues. Gomboeva, ranked 13th in the world, had won her first title at the 2020 Swiss World Cup but finished 45th out of 64 competitors in this event. The Tokyo Olympic Committee reported that the highest temperature that day was 33 degrees Celsius, but the high humidity made the perceived temperature soar close to 40 degrees.

The average temperature for the 2024 Paris Olympics is expected to be 40 degrees Celsius with 80% humidity. It is anticipated to be a 'worst heatwave Olympics' even hotter and more humid than Tokyo. There are concerns about increased athlete injuries due to heatstroke and possible changes to competition schedules because of the intense heat. The Paris Open Water Swimming World Cup, scheduled for this year, was canceled due to heavy rain from abnormal weather that worsened the water quality of the Seine River. The UK Sustainable Sports Association stated last month that "due to record-breaking heatwaves, the Paris Olympics will face a more severe situation than the Tokyo Olympics." The Paris Olympic Committee initially planned an 'air conditioner-free Olympics' but decided to allow air conditioning to cope with the record heat. Additionally, the Paris Olympic Committee explained that outdoor event schedules are being adjusted to prepare for the heatwave, such as holding the marathon and triathlon events early in the morning.

Winter Olympics Hit Hard by Abnormal Weather...Athlete Withdrawals Due to Heatwave Increase

The impact of abnormal weather on sports is significant. Coastal erosion and rising sea levels make it difficult to hold beach sports. Increased algal blooms restrict outdoor water sports. Extreme heat or prolonged drought damages sports infrastructure. Athlete withdrawals and match forfeitures have also increased. During the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament, players withdrew in large numbers due to four consecutive days of 41-degree heat. At the Tokyo Olympics, some triathlon athletes fainted from the scorching heat.

The Winter Olympics are also directly affected by the climate crisis. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were held entirely with artificial snow due to rising winter temperatures. According to data provided by Rep. Sohee Kim of the People Power Party (Global Sports Events Climate Response Status and Future Legislative Plans), the average daytime temperature in February at past Winter Olympic venues was 0.4 degrees Celsius from 1924 to 1950, 3.1 degrees from the 1960s to 1990s, and 6.3 degrees from 1990 to 2022.

The Paris Olympic Organizing Committee initially planned an "Olympics without air conditioning," but decided to allow air conditioning in response to record-breaking heat.

High Carbon Emissions from the Olympics Themselves...Ongoing Efforts to Set Targets and Reduce Emissions

Ironically, large-scale sports events like the Olympics and the World Cup generate enormous carbon emissions. The British media outlet The Economist estimated that the 2010 South Africa World Cup emitted about 1.85 million tons of carbon, and the 2022 Qatar World Cup emitted about 3.6 million tons. During the Olympics, carbon emissions surge due to increased airplane flights, new stadium construction, and large-scale landscaping projects.

For this reason, the Paris Olympic Committee initially set a carbon emission target of 1.9 million tons, which is 50% less than previous Olympic Games. One of the most notable initiatives is the production method of the Paris Olympic gold and silver medals. The medals will be made from 100% recycled materials, and the back of the medals will include iron pieces salvaged and preserved from the renovation of the Eiffel Tower. Additionally, the Paris Olympic Committee plans to use 95% existing tourist attractions, exhibition halls, and public sports facilities instead of building new venues. Seats will be made from recycled plastic, and buildings will use wood. Furthermore, 75% of the 2 million sports equipment items used in the games will be rented and reused after the event. To minimize athlete travel distances, the Olympic Village was established within a 10 km radius of the competition venues.