Our thinking

Rings of fire

21 June, 2024

As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics approach, athletes are raising concerns about the potential impact of rising temperatures on their health and performance at the Games.

As countries continue to experience record temperatures year after year – average summer temperatures have risen by more than 3^oC since the last time the Olympics were held in Paris in 1924 – outdoor sporting competitions are becoming more and more challenging. From the prospect of competing in sweltering conditions raising alarms across the sporting community, to the declining number of countries able to host winter sporting events, sporting events are feeling the effects of climate change.

It’s therefore encouraging to know that Paris 2024 is striving to be the greenest games yet. Pledging to halve emissions from London and Rio levels, the organisers have put the focus on minimizing carbon emissions and promoting environmental responsibility, using renewable energy, promoting eco-friendly transportation options, having less meat on menus and reusing existing venues in contrast to the traditional approach of building flagship new stadiums for the Games.

While there are questions over whether such large-scale international events can truly become green, given the massive amounts of air travel and construction they generate, Paris 2024 hopes to leave a positive legacy for its Games and to set the standard for future international events. Let the Games begin.

By Lucy Bell