Paris 2024 raises 'existential threat' warning amid extreme weather fears for Olympics

Olympic officials are on high alert with extreme weather conditions threatening to impact the event which gets underway in just a matter of days.

Next week's forecasts are sizzling, with temperatures expected to soar above 86F, sparking concerns of a heatwave impacting athletes and fans alike. The harrowing summer of 2003 saw a devastating heatwave in Paris claim around 14,000 lives, and now similar scorching temps loom over the next month.

According to The Lancet , Parisians could be at the highest risk of heat-related fatalities compared to any other European capital city. This alarming news arrives hot on the heels of World Athletics President Lord Coe's warning last month that climate change is "an existential threat to sport," as Paris gears up for an influx of over 15 million visitors for the Games.

READ MORE: USWNT's Emma Hayes confronts 'hardest thing to do in coaching' before Olympics
READ MORE: Trinity Rodman and USWNT teammates in full agreement over Emma Hayes

The 2021 Tokyo Olympics, were plagued by brutal heat, making it the hottest Games ever recorded. Athletes and volunteers endured what the BBC called "torturous" conditions, with mercury levels hitting 93F coupled with stifling humidity.

Russian tennis ace Daniil Medvedev talked about "dying on court" amid the sweltering matches, while New Zealand's Marcus Daniell quipped that the courts were so hot you could fry an egg on them. The intense heat led to several athletes succumbing to vomiting and fainting spells.

Paris is now under pressure to beat the heat and ensure it doesn't wreak havoc on the upcoming Games. The urban jungle of Paris, with its dense construction, is particularly prone to trapping heat, posing an even greater challenge for the city than less developed areas.

This can contribute to increased night-time temperatures, a particular concern for athletes who need cooling down periods between events. "Extreme heat negatively affects recovery because it can be difficult to sleep well in high temperatures, and heat often suppresses appetite, making it hard to eat enough to recover and train properly," explained Great Britain rower Imogen Grant.

To tackle this problem, there are plans to organize most outdoor events during the cooler times of the day. Also, lengthy rest periods and water breaks are suggested to curtail exposure to heat.

Certain competitions have temperature cut-off points; if these limits are surpassed, additional water breaks will be introduced or the events might even be delayed.