As the world turns its attention to the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, an intriguing narrative has emerged: the debate over air conditioning. Paris organizers have opted for a sustainable, AC-free Olympic Village, aiming to make the Games more eco-friendly. However, as the Games approach and concerns about a potential summer heat wave grow, several visiting countries, including the U.S., have decided to bring their own air-conditioning units.
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee chief executive officer Sarah Hirshland confirmed that the U.S. will join other nations in providing portable air conditioning for their athletes in the Olympic Village. While this decision seems to counter Paris organizers' sustainability efforts, Hirshland emphasized its importance for athletes' performance at the Games.
"We have great respect for the work that's been done by the Paris organizing committee in particular and their focus on sustainability," Hirshland said. "As you can imagine, this is a period of time in which consistency and predictability is critical for Team USA's performance. 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."
"We have great respect for the work that's been done by the Paris organizing committee in particular and their focus on sustainability," Hirshland said. "As you can imagine, this is a period of time in which consistency and predictability is critical for Team USA's performance. 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."
Why No AC in the Olympic Village?
The International Olympic Committee has been increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the Games. In recent years, efforts have focused on reducing waste and energy usage by using existing venues and clean energy transportation. Paris aims to further these sustainability efforts by halving the carbon emissions of previous Summer Games, which have averaged 3.5 million tons of carbon dioxide.
As part of this plan, Paris has built the Olympic Village with a more environmentally friendly geothermal cooling system, rather than traditional air conditioning. The organizing committee has stated that the system will keep athletes' rooms at least 10 degrees cooler than outside temperatures, and no warmer than the high 70s at night.
As part of this plan, Paris has built the Olympic Village with a more environmentally friendly geothermal cooling system, rather than traditional air conditioning. The organizing committee has stated that the system will keep athletes' rooms at least 10 degrees cooler than outside temperatures, and no warmer than the high 70s at night.
The objective is to keep the rooms between 73-79 degrees Fahrenheit.
"We designed these buildings so that they would be comfortable places to live in in the summer, in 2024 and later on," said Yann Krysinski, who oversees the delivery of venues and infrastructure for Paris 2024. "We don't need air conditioning in these buildings because we oriented the facades so that they wouldn't get too much sun during the summer, and the facades, the insulation is really efficient."
What other countries are bringing AC?
Although the village has a cooling system, concerns from athletes and national Olympic committees have led several countries to bring their own AC units. The Washington Post reported that Australia, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, Greece, and Italy are among the delegations providing AC for their athletes in Paris.
"We will bring them. And we will take them back to Greece," said Alexandra Palli, president of the Greek Olympic Committee for environmental sustainability. "They need support. Because what they do is very difficult anyway."
A Paris 2024 spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the countries' plans to bring their own AC units.
"We will bring them. And we will take them back to Greece," said Alexandra Palli, president of the Greek Olympic Committee for environmental sustainability. "They need support. Because what they do is very difficult anyway."
A Paris 2024 spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the countries' plans to bring their own AC units.
How Hot Will It Be at the Paris Olympics?
The Paris Games will run from July 26 to August 10, a period known for high temperatures. The city's hottest day on record was on July 25, 2019, when temperatures exceeded 108 degrees. Researchers at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom have expressed concerns about a potential heat wave in Paris this summer, citing the heat and humidity at the previous Summer Games in Tokyo and the impacts of climate change. A report released earlier this month indicated that annual temperatures in Paris have warmed by more than 3 degrees over the past century, with the city experiencing an average of nine more "scorching" days (defined as north of 86 degrees) per year.
Conclusion
The 2024 Paris Olympics highlight the significant role HVAC systems play in our daily lives. Whether ensuring athletes perform at their peak or providing comfort and safety in our homes and workplaces, HVAC systems are essential. By embracing sustainable and advanced HVAC solutions, we can create environments that support performance, health, and well-being, while also taking care of our planet. Go USA!
If you live in the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area and would like to find comfort within your home, visit our website or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200 to learn more.