New report warns of heat danger at Paris Olympics

PARIS: A new report backed by climate scientists and athletes warned on Tuesday (Jun 18) about the dangers of extreme high temperatures at this year's Paris Olympics.

The "Rings of Fire" report - a collaboration between non-profit Climate Central, academics at Britain's University of Portsmouth and 11 Olympians - said conditions in Paris could be worse than the last Games in Tokyo in 2021.

It warned that "intense heat at the Paris Olympics in July to August 2024 could lead to competitors collapsing and in worst case scenarios dying during the Games".

The study adds to a growing number of calls from sports people to adjust schedules and the timing of events to take into account the physical strain of competing in higher temperatures caused by global warming.

"Rings of Fire" urges organisers of competitions typically held at the height of the northern hemisphere summer - such as the Olympics or the football World Cup - to re-think their scheduling.

They should also provide improved rehydration and cooling plans for athletes and fans to avoid the risk of heat stroke, the study argued.

The Paris Olympics, which run from Jul 26 to Aug 11, are set to take place in what are usually the warmest months in the French capital which has been struck by a series of record heatwaves in recent years.

More than 5,000 people died in France as a result of searing summer heat last year when new local highs above 40 degrees Celsius were recorded around the country, according to public health data.

A study in the Lancet Planet Health journal last May found that Paris had the highest heat-related death rates of 854 European towns and cities, partly due to its lack of green space and dense population.

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