The “Rings of Fire” study highlighted the dangers and measures that can be taken
The climate report Rings of fire warned of the risks of heat during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The study published this week was conducted by researchers from the British Association for Sustainable Sports (BASIS) and included the participation of current and former Olympic athletes.
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Initially the research recalled that the The Tokyo 2020 Games were “the hottest in history”, with temperatures above 34ºC and humidity of almost 70%. Fainting, vomiting and use of wheelchairs by athletes were cited by the study to exemplify the heat faced in Japan.
Now the The expectation is that the situation will be similar or even worse. The report mentions the hottest day in French history, recorded in 2019 with a peak of 45.9°C. At that time, Paris recorded 42.6°C. In turn, 2022 was the hottest year in French history.
“The next Paris Olympics are approaching and since then there have been an increase in noteworthy cases of extreme heat that are harmful to health and the enjoyment of sporting spectacle. [após os Jogos de Tóquio]. The fact that the Olympics are taking place in the middle of summer means that the threat of a devastating heat wave is real,” the study says.
In addition to recent examples, the Rings of fire highlighted the heat wave recorded in 2003, when more than 14,000 people died in France. At that time, the highest temperature in Paris was 39.5°C.
Compared to 1924, the last year in which Paris hosted the Olympics, the city recorded a surprising 3.1ºC increase in average temperature during the event period. However, during the Paralympic Games, between August and September, this average only increased by 1ºC.
Among the problems of the heat, the research listed, for example, the difficulty of regulation of body temperature, skin burns, tiredness and heatstroke collapse in athletes, professionals and enthusiasts. In other words, the damage can be both to health and to sport.
To combat the effects of the heat in Paris, the report highlights some measures that can be taken during the event:
- Smart planning: Organizers must avoid events held in open spaces during the hottest hours of the day.
- Keeping Athletes Safe: limit athletes’ exposure to the sun and take breaks to hydrate.
- Athlete awareness: encourage athletes to talk about environmental issues and heat risks.
- Collaboration: encourage the union of athletes and sporting bodies in debating the topic.
- Sponsor Rating: research explained that sport needs to re-evaluate its relationship with fossil fuel companies.
With the dangers of the heat, The Paris Olympic Games will take place from 26 July to 11 August.
Source: Terra
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