Olympics Battling Heatwave: Athletes and Animals Adapt

Tennis and soccer players are taking water breaks, BMX riders use umbrellas, and horses are monitored with thermal cameras as the Summer Olympics in Paris adapt to a heatwave. With temperatures reaching up to 37°C (98.6°F), various protocols have been invoked to keep athletes and animals safe from the extreme heat.

As the Summer Olympics in Paris wrestle with an intense heatwave, athletes and animals alike are feeling the strain. Tennis and soccer players are taking water breaks, BMX riders seek shade under umbrellas, and advanced thermal cameras monitor the condition of horses.

Temperatures at the Roland Garros tennis complex were expected to hit 37°C (98.6°F). The International Tennis Federation (ITF) allowed a 10-minute break between the second and third sets for players to cool down, using a protocol based on the 'Wet Bulb Globe Temperature' metric.

In soccer, cooling breaks have been granted during each half of the match when temperatures exceed 32°C. At BMX freestyle events, athletes mitigate the heat with fans and ice. Meanwhile, horses at Versailles receive special attention, including thermal monitoring and hydration practices, underscoring the widespread adaptation to the soaring temperatures.