Paris Olympics: No Air Conditioning at Shooting Ranges Challenges Shooters, Food Remains A Concern at Games Village

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Eco-friendly Paris Olympics have caught shooters, particularly during rifle events, off guard as there are no air conditioners at the 10m indoor facility at Chateauroux shooting ranges some 150 miles from Paris in France.

At 10m indoor shooting ranges there is provision of A/C at competitions sanctioned by ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation). However, at the Paris Olympic Games, shooters were seen wiping sweat during rifle events.

Even during the women's 10m air pistol event, shooters were seen coping up with warm conditions at the shooting ranges.

"It's level playing field," was all an official of the Indian shooting contingent said from Paris, adding it would have been better if there was some sort of cooling system during air rifle competition.

Rifle shooters have to wear accessories, including jackets during competition as well as at the time of practice. The 2024 Paris Games organising committee's efforts to go down in history to have sustainable and environmentally friendly games has posed a big challenge for the competitors as well as officials staying at the Games Village There is a water-based cooling system at the Games Village.

More challenges await in the coming days. The track and field competitions start August 1. As the France meteorological agency has issued a warning on Tuesday that Paris and its surrounding area could face a heatwave, Indian race walkers are physically and mentally prepared to face the local weather conditions. The men's and women's 20km is scheduled on the first day.

"The race will start at 7:30 AM (Paris Time) and we rescheduled our training plan to combat the warm conditions," Vikash Singh, one of the Indian race walkers said. "Normally the 20km race is organised in the early morning (before day breaks), but we are prepared."

Away from the shooting ranges, there has been an issue of food at the Games Village. The Indian shooters as reported have managed to either find an eating joint close to the competition venue or cook their own meals. "There was continental food at the Games Village but I didn't like it," one of the Indian players said.

Promising badminton player Lakshya Sen's parents have rented an apartment close to the playing venue and often prepare meals for Lakshya.