The 2024 Paris Olympics opened to storm clouds and drenched streets. However, soon, it turned into a test of endurance under extreme heat. Temperatures in the French capital soared to 36 degrees Celsius (97°F), leaving athletes battling not just each other but also the weather. Simone Biles summed it up with a touch of humor before the gymnastics team final, writing on Instagram, “IT WAS DONE but bus has NO AC and it’s like 9,000 degrees.” Others were less amused. British tennis player Jack Draper, after a grueling loss to Taylor Fritz, said, “They give bottles to the players but the bottles don’t stay cool, so, you know, you’re drinking hot water out there.”

A scientific analysis by the World Weather Attribution group confirmed a shocking fact. They stated that the extreme conditions “would have been virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change. Nonetheless, ice vests, umbrellas, and cooling tents were given to the athletes to deal with the extreme temperatures. Even the horses at the Palace of Versailles were monitored by thermal imaging to prevent overheating.

With Los Angeles 2028 next, the problem of global warming is painting a concerning picture for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. EssentiallySports recently spoke with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons about how the governing body is preparing for LA28. When asked about improving athlete safety amid rising temperatures, Parsons acknowledged the urgency. “I mean, it’s a discussion that’s been going on for a number of years. I remember 10 years ago, we had a world championship in Doha, which was really, really hard. Some athletes collapsed in the field of play,” he said.

Recalling the Tokyo Games, Parsons added, “We had the situation with the marathon in the Olympics and the Paralympics in Tokyo. That triathlon, we needed to start 6 a.m.” His remarks underlined how climate challenges are not isolated incidents but growing logistical realities that demand adaptation. “This is something important that we have our medical committee addressing. Especially it affects more some specific types of disabilities and level of disabilities like the quadriplegics,” he noted.

Protocols such as scheduling events early in the morning and implementing cooling measures have helped in minimizing risks. But Parsons also clarified that global warming demands overall structural changes in how major competitions are held. “With the global warming is something that we will need to really pay attention,” he said. “When we scheduled the events around the world, we saw the FIFA World Cup in Qatar towards the end of the year. So this is probably at the end of the day about the well-being.”

“Everything that we have to adapt and change to make sure that they have the perfect conditions, we will do,” Parsons affirmed. Meanwhile, as the United States prepares to host both the Olympics and Paralympics, its role in containing the heat and coming up with suitable sustainability standards will be of utmost importance.

Andrew Parsons sees the US as key to preserving the core values of the Paralympics movement

Andrew Parsons viewed the moment not simply as a sporting milestone. He saw it as a chance for the nation to reaffirm the foundation upon which the Paralympic movement stood. “The next Olympics are going to be in the US so are the Paralympics and US is considered as the hub of track and field,” he said.

The IPC President further remarked that the United States could serve as a model for both inclusion and advancement. “I don’t think only track and field,” Parsons continued. He stated that the strength of the American stage lay in its ability to connect multiple spheres, broadcasting, sponsorship, and fundraising among them. “I think the biggest opportunity is to the US so that we can transform America, make it more inclusive,” he explained, pointing to the cultural respect shown to veterans and the nation’s long-standing relationship with sport.

Parsons believes that the United States could set an enduring standard for the global Paralympic movement. As he concluded, such change “will of course benefit the Paralympic movement back.” Surely, with things looking concerning, the onus is on the US and the IPC to get things to work out and make the event a grand success. However, with the global temperatures rising drastically, it remains to be seen how well the situation is dealt with.