The U.S. Olympic team is one of the few that will provide air conditioners for their athletes at the Paris Games, despite organizers’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic team, stated on Friday that while they support sustainability initiatives, they will be supplying AC units for their large group of athletes attending the Summer Games.
“During this crucial period, consistency and predictability are essential for Team USA’s performance,” said Hirshland. “Athletes have expressed the importance of having air conditioning for their performance.”
The Washington Post recently reported that Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada, and Britain also plan to bring air conditioners to France.
Although Olympic organizers plan to cool rooms in the Athletes Village using a system of cooling pipes under the floors, countries like the U.S. are still providing additional cooling equipment.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo of Paris aims for the Paris Games to set an example in terms of environmental sustainability.
According to the International Energy Agency, air conditioning usage in Europe is relatively low compared to other regions like China and the United States.
Despite environmental concerns, comfort and performance are top priorities for the athletes attending the Olympics in Paris.
“It’s a high-performance environment,” explained Australian Olympic Committee spokesman Strath Gordon.
