The U.S. Olympic team is one of a handful that will supply air conditioners for their athletes at the Paris Games in a move that undercuts organizers’ plans to cut carbon emissions.

The U.S. Olympic team is one of a handful that will supply air conditioners for their athletes at the Paris Games in a move that undercuts organizers’ plans to cut carbon emissions.

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic CEO Sarah Hirshland said Friday that while the U.S. team appreciates efforts aimed at sustainability, the federation would be supplying AC units for what is typically the largest contingent of athletes at the Summer Games.

“As you can imagine, this is a period of time in which consistency and predictability is critical for Team USA’s performance,” Hirshland said. “In our conversations with athletes, this was a very high priority and something that the athletes felt was a critical component in their performance capability.”

The Washington Post reported earlier this month that Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada and Britain were among the other countries with plans to bring air conditioners to France.

  • Fester@lemm.eeEnglish
    0·
    4 months ago

    The geothermal energy system will ensure that the temperature in the athlete apartments in the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb does not rise above 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) at night

    Sorry, but fuck that. Hopefully the system will help the ACs that everyone will need to bring to use less power though.

    • 0110010001100010@lemmy.world
      0·
      4 months ago

      Ok, maybe I’m just spoiled somehow, but that’s REALLY high for sleeping. If it’s over about 72 I just straight-up cannot sleep. I can flex that a little with good airflow and low humidity (windows open).

      I can’t possible imagine having to sleep in that temp after a full day of strenuous physical activity. I guess if you were somehow used to it but that seems crazy.

      Furthermore, does this cooling strategy (minus the AC units shipped in) even come close to offsetting the burned fossil fuels to actually move all these athletes to another country and set up the games? Asking cause that seems kinda relevant…

      • NegativeInf@lemmy.world
        0·
        4 months ago

        I can barely sleep at 70 degrees. Anything more and I just wake up covered in sweat and dying. 79? I’d probably just die.

        • andrewta@lemmy.world
          0·
          4 months ago

          I set my ac to 74 over night. Sometimes even 75. Depending on humidity levels and outdoor air temp, I might drop the indoor temp to 74 and then once that indoor air temp is hit, just turn off the ac and open the windows. Place stays cool over night.

          But 79? Yeah… No.

          • NegativeInf@lemmy.world
            0·
            4 months ago

            Yea, I live in bog swamp-ass Houston. It’s currently 83 degrees out at 10 pm. No way in hell I’d open a window to sleep. And if I did I would probably get west nile or some shit.