NEW DELHI: Indian athletes at the Paris Olympic Games Village have been provided with 40 portable air conditioners by the country's sports ministry to combat the soaring temperatures and lack of cooling in their rooms.
The air conditioners were dispatched following discussions with the Indian Olympic Association and the Indian Embassy in France, according to sources in the ministry.
"Taking into consideration the issues faced by athletes at the Olympic Games village because of the temperature and humidity in Paris, the Ministry of Sports decided to provide 40 ACs in the Games Village rooms where the Indian athletes are staying," the source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Temperatures in Paris and Chateauroux, the main Olympic Games venues, have surged, with reports indicating that temperatures have reached an unbearable 40 degrees Celsius on some days.
In the men's 50m rifle 3-positions event, finalists, including India's bronze-winner Swapnil Kusale, were observed sweating profusely at the Chateauroux shooting range.
Several contingents had raised concerns about the Paris weather even before the Games commenced.
Organizers had decided to avoid air conditioning to reduce the event's carbon footprint, opting instead for an underfloor cooling mechanism and built-in insulation to maintain lower temperatures at the Games Village. However, the measures have not been entirely convincing for many athletes.
Unconvinced about the measures, the USA contingent brought portable air conditioners along with them. Reports suggest other countries have also opted to buy portable ACs to handle the heat, and now India has joined this trend.
"The decision was taken early on Friday and the cost is being funded by the Ministry," the ministry source said.
"The ACs are plug and play units and athletes have already started using them. It is expected that with this they will have a more comfortable stay and get better rest which is much needed for a good performance," he added.
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