IMAGINE the atmosphere of the Paris Olympics, filled with the spirit of competition. At the start of the event, rain fell to greet the parade, but was quickly replaced by the inevitable heat.
On the last day, the temperature peaked at 35 degrees Celsius. This is a reflection of the challenges that will be greater in the future of extreme and unpredictable weather.
Cities on the Brink
In the coming decades, extreme heat will be the enemy of athletes and spectators alike. Many cities that have previously hosted the Olympics may no longer be viable due to rising temperatures.
By 2050, most cities in the eastern US will exceed the safe temperature limit for sports, according to analysis by CarbonPlan. CarbonPlan found that by 2050, heat stress in nearly all eastern US cities will exceed the 82.1 degrees Fahrenheit limit, at which experts recommend canceling sporting events.
For example, cities along the Gulf of Mexico, including Florida and Texas, will find it too humid and hot to host the Olympics. Even former host cities like Atlanta, which hosted the 1996 Games, may not be able to host the event by 2050.
Most parts of eastern China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, are expected to experience temperatures above safe limits.
Also read: These are the facts about the 2024 Paris Olympics
Suggestions are growing that the Olympics should be rescheduled to avoid the peak summer season, as Sydney did in the 2000 summer Olympics and Rio de Janeiro did in the 2016 winter Olympics.
Cities in northwestern Europe such as London, Oslo and Stockholm, as well as cities in the highlands of South America, may be more attractive options due to their milder climate conditions.
Hot Struggle and Alternative Solutions
Experts suggest considering scheduling the Olympics in cooler seasons. For example, Sydney hosted the 2000 Games in September and October, avoiding Australia’s scorching summer heat. Rio de Janeiro also moved the 2016 Games to August, when winter temperatures are more pleasant.
Also read: List of Countries That Have Hosted the Olympics
However, not all cities have this flexibility. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai in China, as well as cities in Southeast Asia, are predicted to be too hot and humid, making them a major risk if chosen to host the Olympics in the future.
Olympics of the Future, Looking for a Cooler Alternative
In the coming years, the choice of Olympic host cities may increasingly shift towards cities with cooler climates or at higher altitudes. Cities in northwestern Europe such as London and Stockholm, as well as cities in the highlands of South America, could be safer choices as global temperatures continue to rise.
Bidders for the 2036 Olympics
More than 10 countries have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics so far. However, most of the proposed cities, such as Doha in Qatar and Ahmedabad in India, are expected to exceed the safe heat threshold. Only Santiago in Chile is expected to stay below the threshold all year round.
Also read: Esports Olympics to be Held in Saudi Arabia
Lessons from Tokyo 2020
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics provided a glimpse of the challenges ahead. With record-breaking temperatures, about 1 in 100 athletes suffered heat-related illnesses. However, Japan’s careful preparation prevented more serious incidents.
Reported by CNN, Yuri Hosokawa, an expert from Waseda University, led efforts to overcome heatstroke cases in Tokyo. They used a cooling method by immersing athletes in ice water, the most effective way to lower body temperature. This is an important lesson for the implementation of the Olympics in the future.
Hosokawa and his team treat cases of heatstroke and heat exhaustion by immersing patients in ice water to lower their body temperature. A person suffering from heatstroke cannot regulate their body temperature without external cooling.
“Immersion in cold water, or an ice bath, is the most efficient way to cool someone down quickly,” Hosokawa said. But some athletes in Tokyo are hesitant to take ice baths. If they are still fit and have not yet reached the point of heatstroke, they will be treated with a spinning towel soaked in ice water.
With climate change inevitable, hosting a future Summer Olympics will be a major challenge. Organizers will need to consider changing the schedule, location and rules to protect athletes and spectators. Otherwise, the Olympics as we know them could become a distant memory, one we can only remember, not witness. (CNN/Z-3)
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