Paris Games 2024: Sports Ministry sends 40 portable AC units for Indian athletes at Olympic Village

The rising temperatures in the French capital city had everyone struggling during the Paris Olympics 2024, with the Indian contingent present at the Olympic Village being no different. Considering the unavailability of air-conditioning service there, the Indian Sports Ministry sent 40 portable AC units for the athletes to be at ease, bearing the cost from their pocket.

The sources close to the information revealed the Sports Ministry made the ACs available to athletes inside the Games Village only after discussions with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the French Embassy. 

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“Taking into consideration the issues faced by athletes at the Olympic Games village because of the temperature and humidity in Paris, the Ministry of Sports decided to provide 40 ACs in the Games Village rooms where the Indian athletes are staying,” the source said during a chat with PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Paris and Chateauroux - the two main venues for the Olympics 2024, have witnessed temperatures touching 40 degrees Celsius. Even during the Men’s 50m Rifle 3-Positions final, all eight contesting finalists, including India’s Swapnil Kusale, who won the bronze medal, were sweating at the Chateauroux shooting range.

Own arrangements

Even before the Paris Games began, the organisers decided against providing AC services to the athletes to cut the carbon footprint at the event, leading to several contingents raising concerns about the weather here during the Olympics 2024.

Although the organising committee unveiled an underfloor cooling mechanism and built-in insulation to curb the rising temperatures inside the Village, the American contingent, unconvinced with the measures, travelled with their portable ACs. 

The report also suggested that other contingents had acquired the AC services inside the Games Village, with the Indian contingent being the latest.

“The decision was taken early on Friday and the cost is being funded by the Ministry,” the unnamed source in the Sports Ministry said. “The ACs are plug-and-play units, and athletes have already started using them. It is expected that with this, they will have a more comfortable stay and get better rest, which is much needed for a good performance.”

(With inputs from agencies)