Officials running the Olympics in Paris reportedly intend to do without air conditioning in the 2024 Olympic Village.
They are allegedly planning the “greenest ever Games” for this year’s Olympics, where the officials have decided not to install air-conditioning in the residences where the athletes will stay while training and competing in this year’s games.
“This village was designed to avoid the need for air conditioning, even in very, very high temperatures, to maintain comfortable temperatures,” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said.
Engineers have instead created a different cooling plan, which consists of pipes of running water lying under the quarters’ floorboards.
Athletes across the world have expressed concern over the initiative, with some teams opting to bring their own portable AC units.
“In our conversations with athletes, this was a very high priority and something that the athletes felt was a critical component in their performance capability and the predictability and consistency of what they’re accustomed to,” Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), said.
“We appreciate the concept of not having air conditioning due to the carbon footprint,” Australian Olympic Committee Matt Carroll said. “But it is a high-performance Games. We’re not going for a picnic.”
Earlier this month, a female athlete who identifies as transgender with nonbinary pronouns qualified for the U.S. Olympic team.
Nikki Hiltz announced on Instagram: “Woke up an Olympian.”
“Yesterday afternoon in Eugene Oregon a childhood dream of mine came true. I’m not sure when this will fully sink in… All I know is today I’m waking up just so grateful for my people, overwhelmed by all the love and support, and filled with joy that I get to race people I deeply love and respect around a track for a living,” Hiltz wrote.
