To combat the soaring temperatures and lack of cooling in their accommodations at the Paris Olympic Games Village, Indian athletes have been provided with 40 portable air conditioners by the country's sports ministry.
This move aims to ensure their comfort and well-being during the Games.
The initiative was taken after discussions between the Indian Olympic Association and the French Embassy, according to sources within the ministry. "Given the high temperatures and humidity in Paris, the Ministry of Sports decided to supply 40 AC units to the rooms of Indian athletes in the Games Village," a ministry source revealed to PTI under conditions of anonymity.
Paris and Chateauroux, the main Olympic venues, have experienced extreme heat, with reports indicating temperatures reaching an unbearable 40 degrees Celsius on some days.
During the men's 50m rifle 3-positions event, all eight finalists, including India's bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale, were seen sweating heavily at the Chateauroux shooting range.
Even before the Games commenced, several teams voiced concerns about the Paris weather, particularly after the organizers announced they would forgo air conditioning to reduce the event's carbon footprint. Instead, the organizing committee introduced an underfloor cooling system and built-in insulation to mitigate the heat.
Despite these measures, the USA team brought their own portable air conditioners, and now India has followed suit.
Reports indicate that other countries have also procured portable AC units to manage the intense heat. "The decision was made early on Friday, with the costs covered by the Ministry," the source stated. "These plug-and-play units are already in use by the athletes. This is expected to enhance their comfort and provide the rest needed for optimal performance," the source added.