As Paris faces intense heatwaves, the Indian athletes at the Olympics Village have been provided with 40 portable air conditioners, thanks to the proactive measures taken by India’s Sports Ministry. The move follows extensive discussions with the Indian Olympic Association and the French Embassy, as reported by PTI.
Several athletes have shared videos on social media showcasing their relief upon receiving the portable AC units. In one viral clip, a female athlete is seen initially cooling herself with a stand fan before joyfully discovering the newly installed portable AC.
BIG BREAKING NEWS 🚨 Indian Sports Ministry dispatches 40 ACs for Indian athletes in Paris.
Despite the scorching summer heat & humidity, Paris Olympics organisers failed to arrange for AC for all the athletes in the name of Green Olympics.
On some days, temperatures have… pic.twitter.com/f4JaCriW9e
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) August 3, 2024
On X, user Lakshay Mehta commented, “Sports Ministry installed 40 portable AC for Indian athletes in Paris. Many foreign athletes have shifted from the Olympic Village to hotels. Reason being cramped bedroom quarters, bathrooms, cardboard beds & humidity. PM Modi deserves appreciation for proactive approach.” The video, which has garnered over 272,000 views, has sparked a range of reactions. One viewer remarked, “Why the room looks like some dungeon,” while another suggested, “Could have shifted them to hotels like other foreign athletes instead of this.” A third user noted, “France is always like this…known for arts and artists but life is cramped.”
– Sports Ministry installed 40 portable AC for Indian athletes in Paris
– Many foreign athletes have shifted from Olympic Village to hotels
– Reason being cramped bedroom quarters, bathrooms, cardboard beds & humidity
PM Modi deserves appreciation for proactive approach 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/5Z35TAWj0d
— Lakshay Mehta (@lakshaymehta31) August 3, 2024
According to PTI, the Sports Ministry’s decision to provide the portable ACs was driven by the challenging conditions faced by athletes due to the high temperatures and humidity in Paris. “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,” a source told PTI.
In response to the severe heat, last week Paris was placed under a yellow alert, while Bordeaux and Lyon were under an orange alert. Some Olympic sailing events were relocated to Marseille on the Mediterranean coast, where athletes have been using ice vests to cope with the sweltering conditions.
The Indian athletes’ improved living conditions highlight the challenges faced by competitors during the Games and the efforts made to ensure their comfort and performance amid extreme weather conditions.
