Detailed planning for heat events is essential to protect both athletes and the public
Paris will host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games between 26 July and 8 September the months with the highest risk for seasonal heat waves and air pollution peaks. As well as the 10 500 athletes and 4400 paralympic athletes, staff and workers, 45 000 volunteers, and millions of spectators and visitors will be affected. Athletes will benefit from specific heat preparation protocols and on-site care (such as acclimatisation and mitigation strategies) provided by dedicated physicians and sports scientists, which may reduce the effects of heat stress. However, most others will be unprepared and poorly informed about heat related risks. Organisers should take steps now to protect the health of everyone attending the 2024 games, in any capacity.
Experiences from previous summer games should help.12 Recent events such as the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, and the 2020 summer Ol