As June begins, many parts of the world, including France, are facing high temperatures.
According to the French meteorological agency, temperatures from May to August this year are expected to be higher than the average in previous years.
At the same time, the Paris Olympics are set to open at the end of July, and the organizing committee has previously promised to host an environmentally friendly Olympics.
To achieve this goal, the organizing committee has announced a sustainability plan, which includes the decision not to install air conditioning in the athletes' village.
However, this decision has met with strong opposition from the participating athletes.
According to foreign media reports, athletes from multiple countries have stated that they will bring their own air conditioning units to the Olympic Village.
The Paris organizing committee explained that the village took seven years to build at a cost of approximately $2 billion.
The design did not include air conditioning for the athletes' quarters but instead employed a system similar to the Louvre Museum, using natural resources and an underground cooling system to mitigate the effects of hot weather.
The Olympic Village's water cooling system draws water from the Seine River to cool the air, which is then circulated through pipes to lower the overall temperature of the buildings.
However, many athletes believe that this cooling system is insufficient to provide the ideal room temperature needed for adequate rest during critical times.
Organizers claim that the Olympic Village uses low-carbon wood, concrete structures, and renewable geothermal heating systems, reducing carbon emissions to about half of what traditional buildings emit.
Despite these environmentally friendly measures, athletes still plan to bring their own air conditioning units to ensure they can rest adequately in the hot environment.
Although it is too early to predict the weather for the opening on July 26th, last summer, Europe experienced record high temperatures.
Historical data indicates that Paris typically experiences at least 7 to 10 days with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius from late July to August.
The International Olympic Committee has not only promised that the Paris Olympics will be the most sustainable ever but also set a clear goal of halving carbon emissions compared to previous games.
The plan includes installing a water cooling system instead of air conditioning in the Olympic Village to ensure the site's carbon emissions are 30% lower than traditional building projects.
However, this plan does not guarantee that athletes will have ideal rest temperatures when temperatures soar.
"Even if the outdoor temperature reaches 41°C, the temperature in most of our rooms will only be 28°C," said Laurent Michaud, director of the Paris Olympic Village, in a speech last February.
He noted that air conditioning would only be necessary in extreme heatwave conditions, as indoor temperatures rarely exceed 26°C.
French President Emmanuel Macron also praised the Olympic Village's eco-friendly system, calling it a model for future cities.
"This is the prototype of the city of tomorrow. We see buildings that will be completed by 2040, capable of coping with the climate conditions of 2050, fully resistant to various weather conditions," he said.
Despite the Paris organizing committee's efforts to persuade athletes to accept the environmental measures, the athletes remain unconvinced—many national delegations are planning to use portable air conditioning units in at least some of the athletes' rooms in the hot weather.
This approach conflicts with the IOC's sustainability claims, but delegations from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Italy are considering using air conditioners.
Portable air conditioning units, which cost about 400 to 500 euros, are relatively inexpensive and easy to transport and install.
Other countries may follow this approach. Australia’s team leader, Anna Meares, told The Guardian that the Australian Olympic Committee decided to install air conditioning in all athletes' rooms as a "strategic move to improve athlete performance," helping athletes get good sleep.
Alexandra Palis, head of environmental sustainability for the Greek Olympic Committee, also stated that they plan to take similar measures, even though it means they may not achieve the goal of halving carbon emissions.
The eco-friendly measures of the Paris Olympic Village aim to reduce carbon emissions, but the needs and experiences of the athletes challenge this goal.
Olympic organizers need to find a balance between environmental sustainability and athletes' comfort to ensure they can fulfill their commitment to sustainability while providing a suitable competitive environment for the athletes.
Environmental sustainability is a global priority, but the health and performance of athletes are equally important.
The Olympics are not only a celebration of sports but also an opportunity to showcase the host country's innovation and sustainable development. Striking a balance between these two aspects will test the wisdom and responsiveness of the Paris organizing committee.
The upcoming Paris Olympics, facing unprecedented high temperatures and environmental goals, are under the spotlight.
In such a unique context, the Paris organizing committee needs to ensure through reasonable planning and responsive measures that athletes can maintain optimal conditions in the heat while fulfilling their environmental commitments.
This challenge not only tests the Paris organizing committee but also offers profound insights into how the world can balance environmental sustainability with practical needs.
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