The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, held from July 26 to Aug. 11, made Paris the second city to ever host the Summer Olympics three times, following events in 1900 and 1924. Despite its large scale—costing around $8.7 billion, attracting more than 30 million viewers daily, and selling about 9.7 million tickets—the Paris Olympics was one of the least expensive Olympics of the 21st century. In contrast, the Sochi 2014 Olympics in Russia came in at around $50 billion. This affordability was possible due to a strong focus on environmental sustainability, earning Paris the recognition as being one of the “greenest-ever” Games. However, as the Games unfolded, it became evident that the well-intentioned environmental measures were counterproductive to the athletes’ performance and health. The athletes faced significant challenges, including extreme environmental conditions, nutritional shortages and controversial living arrangements. Rather than enhancing the Olympic experience for all, these efforts diverted focus from the true purpose of the Games—supporting and celebrating the world’s best athletes and fostering a sense of national unity—which ultimately eroded the spirit and enjoyment of the event.
Firstly, the Paris Olympics were the hottest Games on record, not surprising considering Paris has experienced 50 heatwaves since 1947. With temperatures stretching above 93 degrees Fahrenheit, competitors, especially those in marathon running and long-distance cycling races, were seen vomiting and fainting at finish lines, with wheelchairs deployed to carry athletes, according to The Guardian. Additionally, indoor facilities faced abnormally high temperatures due to the choice of natural venues over climate controlled indoor facilities—in order to limit carbon emissions and spending—leading to concerns about the health implications for athletes, particularly in paralympic events, in which athletes have difficulty regulating their bodies’ core temperature. Many teams resorted to installing their own cooling units to use in the rooms of the Olympic village, such as Team USA.
While the use of solar and wind power to operate athletic centers is a brilliant way to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy, it still remains an unstable energy supply. Unlike a diesel-operated energy supply, solar power and wind power relies inherently on weather conditions, and inconsistent power supplies in many training venues can disrupt athletes’ bodily functions, affecting their performance. During periods of low energy generation, systems may also be unable to regulate air quality, posing a significant health risk to the respiratory systems of high endurance athletes and those with specific health conditions. Numerous athletes reported on social media platforms symptoms of dehydration, difficulty breathing and dizziness, raising large health concerns. Balancing environmental concerns with athlete well-being may be complex, but there are solutions that don’t involve compromising one or the other. For example, an advanced energy storage system consisting of high capacity batteries that can be used for a consistent power supply, or utilizing tinted electrochromic windows maximizing natural light and reducing heat gain.
The focus on sustainability at the Games affected food options for athletes, leading to significant nutritional challenges, such as poor food quality and lack of protein-rich options.
Athletes reported a lack of high protein items such as chicken and eggs, saying that it limited their nutrition and athletic needs. The British Olympics Chief Executive, Andy Anson, highlighted numerous issues; one of which being raw meat served to athletes. The British Olympic team responded by bringing in private chefs, according to The New York Times.
While attempting to set a new precedent for sustainability, the Olympic Village infrastructure relied on geothermal cooling and natural ventilation, instead of traditional air conditioning in order to lower their carbon footprint. However, due to the extensive periods of extreme heat, this proved uncomfortable and detrimental for athlete recovery and rest. In times of critical athletic performance, consistency, predictability, and proper sleep conditions are undeniably important. Similarly, the infamous cardboard beds provided in the Olympic Village were reported to be uncomfortable and not suitable for proper rest.
Ultimately, the most significant issue was the Seine River, which raised safety concerns after reports of elevated bacteria levels in the water. Controversy escalated when two female German open water swimmers reported nausea, vomiting and diarrhea after swimming in the long polluted Seine River, where swimming had been banned for over a century. Even after extensive and expensive clean up projects, reports still show large amounts of sickness-causing bacteria, and even cancellation of two open water practice sessions, according to 13news.
Although the Paris 2024 Olympic Games had commendable efforts for an eco-friendly approach, the Olympics is not the time to compromise essential resources. These issues underscored the Games’ true purpose: ensuring athletes can perform at their peak in optimal conditions. In the future, the Paris 2024 Games should guide Olympic planning, taking into account the numerous issues that arose. Prior to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, it is crucial to find a balance between sustainability and glory.