New Regulations Introduced for the 2024 Olympics
Discussing the absence of air conditioning during the Summer Games can be a conversation starter for athletes.
Instead of having air conditioning in the Olympians’ rooms, Olympic organizers have chosen a different method to keep them cool.
“We have constructed these buildings to ensure they are comfortable to live in during the summertime, starting in 2024 and beyond,” stated Yann Krysinski, SVP of SOLIDEO (the organization responsible for the Olympics’ major infrastructure), in an interview with Reuters in February. “The design of the buildings eliminates the need for air conditioning as we have positioned the facades in a way that prevents excessive sun exposure and the insulation is highly efficient.”
He went on to explain, “We are also using naturally cool water sourced from underground to cool the air within the apartments. Therefore, air conditioning will not be necessary in the summer.”
However, not all athletes were pleased with this decision, and the CEO of the United States Olympic Committee, Sarah Hirshland, previously confirmed that Team USA will have air conditioning in their accommodations. According to The Washington Post, other teams like those from Britain, Canada, and Italy will also be bringing their own air conditioning units.