The drive to host the greenest Olympics yet is encountering an unexpected hurdle: athletes who plan to arrive in Paris next month with their own air conditioning units.
Why it Matters
Amidst rising global temperatures, expanding the Games’ carbon footprint might be viewed as essential to ensure athletes can perform at their best. With the Paris Olympics set to begin on July 26 and Europe having experienced record-breaking heat last summer, the potential for high temperatures during the Games has raised concerns.
Current Scenario
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has pledged that the Paris Games will be the most sustainable in history, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of the event by half compared to previous editions. A key component of this plan involves a water-based cooling system for the Olympic Village, designed to cut its carbon footprint by 30% compared to traditional air conditioning methods.
Broader Implications
Despite these sustainability efforts, several countries, including the U.S., U.K., Denmark, Italy, and Australia, are preparing to provide portable air conditioning units for their athletes’ rooms.
The Australian Olympic Committee, for instance, has decided to equip all athlete accommodations with air conditioners to ensure they can sleep well and perform optimally, according to delegation leader Anna Meares.
Similarly, Alexandra Palli, president of the Greek Olympic committee for environmental sustainability, indicated that the Greek team is bringing air conditioning units based on their athletes’ requests, showcasing a widespread priority on athlete comfort over environmental considerations.
In Detail
The Olympic Village’s innovative cooling system utilizes water from the Seine River, which is channeled to cooling power stations before being circulated through the buildings. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has urged participating countries to trust the science behind this system, emphasizing its potential to maintain comfortable conditions while significantly reducing environmental impact.
The tension between ambitious sustainability goals and the practical needs of athletes underscores a critical challenge for the Paris Olympics. As the event draws near, finding a balance between optimizing athlete performance and minimizing environmental impact remains a pressing issue. Whether the IOC’s eco-friendly cooling strategies will suffice, or if the influx of personal air conditioning units will compromise these efforts, remains to be seen.
Original Article published here: https://www.axios.com/2024/06/06/olympic-games-paris-sustainable-carbon-footprint