RED-HOT ALERT AT PARIS GAMES

Study suggests 2024 Olympics may see competitors collapsing due to intense heat

A new report backed by climate scientists and athletes has warned about the dangers posed by extreme high temperatures at the July 26-Aug 11 Paris Olympics.

The Rings of Fire report - a collaboration between non-profit Climate Central, academics at Britain's University of Portsmouth and 11 Olympians - said on June 19 that conditions in Paris could be worse than the last Games in Tokyo in 2021.

It warned that "intense" heat at the Paris Olympics "could lead to competitors collapsing and in worst-case scenarios dying during the Games".

The study adds to a growing number of calls from sportspeople to adjust schedules and the timing of events to take into account the physical strain of competing in higher temperatures caused by global warming.

Rings of Fire urges the organisers of competitions typically held at the height of the northern-hemisphere summer such as the Olympics or the football World Cup - to rethink their scheduling.

They should also provide improved rehydration and cooling plans for athletes and fans to avoid the risk of heatstroke, the study argued.

The Games are set to take place in what are usually the warmest months in Paris, which has been struck by a series of record heatwaves in recent years.