Paris faces poor air high quality per week earlier than 2024 Olympics opening ceremony

TheParis Olympics in Paris are just around the corner, but a new challenge has come up, which is air quality. Data from Airparif (an air quality monitoring agency) reveals “poor” air quality, particularly due to high ozone concentrations.

This news comes just a week before the opening ceremony, adding to the pressure on the Olympic committee, which is already facing concerns about the Seine’s water quality.

Impact on Athletes and Performances 

A report by Respire, a French charity, highlighted that pollution levels at many sports venues exceed World Health Organisation recommendations. This raises concerns for athlete performance, as even minor levels of air pollution can affect results and potentially cause respiratory issues. Athletes, including world record holder David Rudisha, have emphasised the importance of clean air for optimal performance.

Positive weather outlook

Despite these concerns, the weather forecast for the opening ceremony is optimistic. Predictions suggest a pleasant “fairly typical summer scenario” with a mix of clouds and clear skies. Additionally, extreme heat is not expected, which is a relief for the large number of attendees at the outdoor ceremony.

Paris mayor dips in the river

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a dip last week in the Seine River to demonstrate that the once heavily polluted waterway is now clean enough to host swimming events for the 2024 Olympics. 

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