Indian Athletes Receive Portable ACs to Combat Paris Heat

To combat the extreme heat at the Paris Olympic Games Village, the Indian sports ministry has provided 40 portable air conditioners to Indian athletes. This decision was taken after discussions with the Indian Olympic Association and Embassy in France, ensuring a more comfortable stay for the athletes.

Indian athletes grappling with severe temperatures and a lack of cooling units in their rooms at the Paris Olympic Games Village have received 40 portable air conditioners from the country's sports ministry to improve their comfort.

The air conditioners were sent to the Games Village following consultations with the Indian Olympic Association and the Indian Embassy in France, sources said.

'Taking into consideration the issues faced by athletes at the Games Village due to the temperature and humidity in Paris, the Ministry of Sports decided to provide 40 ACs in the rooms where the Indian athletes are staying,' a source told PTI under conditions of anonymity.

'Following the decision, the Indian Embassy in France purchased and delivered the ACs to the Games Village,' the source added.

Temperatures have soared in both Paris and Chateauroux, the primary Olympic Games venues.

In the men’s 50m rifle 3-positions event, all eight finalists, including India's bronze-winner Swapnil Kusale, were seen sweating profusely at the Chateauroux shooting range. Reports indicate that temperatures have reached an unbearable 40 degrees Celsius on some days in Paris.

Even before the Games commenced, several contingents voiced concerns over the weather in Paris, especially after organizers stated they would minimize air conditioning to reduce the event’s carbon footprint. Instead, the Games committee unveiled an underfloor cooling mechanism and built-in insulation to manage temperatures at the Games Village. Nevertheless, skeptical, the USA contingent brought portable conditioners with them.

Reports suggest that other countries have similarly resorted to purchasing portable ACs to manage the heat, with India now joining the practice.

'The decision was made early on Friday and is funded by the Ministry,' the ministry source said, adding that 'The ACs are plug-and-play units, and athletes have already started using them. It is expected that this will ensure a more comfortable stay and better rest, which is crucial for good performance.'