Olympic athletes are in danger from the heat at the 2024 Paris Games

Heat levels during Paris Olympic Games could pose health risks to competitors, according to a report by environmental groups, which adds that the continued rise in global temperatures could endanger future editions of the Games.

The report, titled “Rings of fire: heat risks at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games”was published on Tuesday by the British Association for Sustainable Sport and Frontrunners, an organization that helps athletes get involved in environmental issues.

Temperatures are expected to skyrocket again in the European summer, after breaking records in 2023 and the French national weather agency Météo-France says conditions are likely to be warmer than normal.

Heat and humidity were also a major problem in the Tokyo Olympicswhere athletes – even those used to training in hot climates – had a very difficult time.

“The next Olympic Games in Paris are just around the corner, and notable cases of extreme heat damaging health and enjoyment of sporting events have only increased in the intervening years (since the Tokyo Olympics )”notes the report, whose researchers spoke with both scientists and athletes.

“The fact that the Olympic Games are taking place in the middle of summer means that the threat of a devastating heat wave is very real”he added.

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The report, which analyzed data from the last 100 years, since the Games were held in France in 1924found that temperatures had risen an average of 3.1 degrees Celsius during the months of July and August, when the Olympics are normally held.

Jamie Farndalea British rugby 7s player, warned of the dangers that athletes could face due to the heat: “What we do is push ourselves to the limit and if we have to do it in conditions that are not safe I don’t think the athlete will hold back.”