Others

Indian Athletes Receive Portable ACs to Combat Paris HeatIndian athletes competing at the Paris Olympic Games have been provided with 40 portable air conditioners by the country's sports ministry to alleviate the discomfort caused by soaring temperatures and inadequate cooling in their rooms at the Olympic Village.The decision to provide the ACs was made after discussions with the Indian Olympic Association and the French Embassy in India. The ministry recognized the challenges faced by athletes due to the extreme heat and humidity in Paris, which have been exacerbated by the organizers' decision to minimize air conditioning to reduce the event's carbon footprint.Temperatures in Paris and Chateauroux, the two main Olympic venues, have reached uncomfortable levels, with reports indicating that they have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius on some days. During the men's 50m rifle 3-positions event, all eight finalists, including India's bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale, were visibly sweating profusely at the Chateauroux shooting range.Prior to the Games, several contingents expressed concerns about the weather conditions in Paris, prompting the USA contingent to bring their own portable air conditioners. Other countries have reportedly followed suit, and India has now joined the bandwagon.The portable ACs provided by the Indian sports ministry are plug-and-play units that have been distributed to athletes in their rooms at the Olympic Village. The ministry expects that the ACs will provide a more comfortable living environment and facilitate better rest, which is crucial for optimal performance.The decision to provide the ACs was made on Friday, and the cost is being borne by the ministry. The move has been welcomed by athletes, who have expressed their gratitude for the support and the improved living conditions.

Paris Braces for Scorching Heat During Olympic GamesAs the Olympic Games descend upon Paris, the city and its surrounding areas are facing a meteorological challenge: a heatwave accompanied by thunderstorms. France's meteorological agency has issued a "yellow alert" for Tuesday, warning of temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and the potential for severe weather.The heatwave, originating from southern France, has prompted concerns for the well-being of athletes and spectators alike. The "yellow alert" signifies that individuals should exercise caution when engaging in physical activities, as the heat can pose significant health risks.Overnight temperatures are expected to remain high, hovering around 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit), providing little respite from the oppressive heat. Parts of southern France have been placed on an "orange alert," the third highest warning level, with temperatures forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).The scorching conditions will pose a particular challenge for Olympians competing in outdoor events during the afternoon. Beach volleyball at the iconic Eiffel Tower, BMX freestyle qualifiers at Place de la Concorde, and the women's rugby sevens semi-finals at the Stade de France are among the events that will be affected by the extreme heat.In the lead-up to the Games, athletes had expressed concerns about the potential impact of high temperatures on their performance and safety. Some had urged event organizers to adjust timings to mitigate the risks associated with competing in such conditions.The meteorological agency has advised individuals to stay hydrated, seek shade during peak heat hours, and avoid strenuous activities. The heatwave is expected to persist for several days, making it crucial for both athletes and spectators to take necessary precautions to ensure their well-being.

The world's largest democratic exercise, the 18th Lok Sabha elections, concluded on June 1 after a marathon seven-phase polling process. The final phase witnessed 57 parliamentary constituencies going to the polls, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the 906 candidates in the fray. Over 10.06 crore electors were eligible to cast their votes in this phase.The election process was marred by a tragic incident as heatwave conditions claimed the lives of at least 61 people across India on May 31. Of these, 23 were poll personnel involved in the final phase of the election. The heatwave also led to at least 40 suspected heat-related deaths among poll staff in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.In the Northeast, floods and landslips killed 17 people in Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya over the past 48 hours, bringing the rainfall-related death toll in the region to 17 since Wednesday.Despite the challenges, the Lok Sabha Secretariat took a host of measures to welcome the newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha. Guideposts were set up at all three domestic terminals at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and railway stations from June 4 to June 9 to assist the incoming MPs.In international news, President Joe Biden detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the grinding, nearly 8-month-old Mideast war.The Congress party announced that it will not participate in any Lok Sabha exit poll debates on television channels, stating that it does not want to indulge in speculation and slugfests for TRP.In other news, former US President Donald Trump launched into attacks on the judge in his criminal trial and continued to undermine New York's criminal justice system as he tried to repackage his conviction on 34 felony charges as fuel, not an impediment, to his latest White House bid.A bomb scare on a Vistara flight from Delhi to Srinagar halted air traffic for two hours at Srinagar International Airport. However, the call turned out to be a hoax.In sports news, Dimitrios Diamantakos, the Indian Super League's Golden Boot award winner this season, will leave Kerala Blasters FC after two years with the club.

As the scorching heatwave grips India, athletes across the country are facing extreme conditions that hinder their training and performance. Recent incidents, such as an athlete collapsing on a burning track in Delhi and javelin throwers struggling in the stifling heat of Bhubaneswar, highlight the challenges posed by the rising temperatures.With the national capital breaching the 50°C barrier and northern and central India experiencing a punishing heatwave, outdoor training has become an ordeal for athletes. Distance running coach Amrish Kumar suggests that athletes train at high altitude to build lung capacity and endurance while avoiding the heat.However, not all athletes can afford to relocate or change their training schedules. To cope with the extreme conditions, some coaches have adjusted their session timings to beat the heat. Gaurav Tyagi, who coaches steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, has shifted his morning sessions to 4:30 am and evening sessions to 5:30 pm.Another solution is to build indoor facilities that protect athletes from the sun and heat. India currently has one such facility in Bhubaneswar, which can accommodate 120 residential trainees and host various track and field events. Experts believe that India needs more such stadiums to provide athletes with year-round training opportunities.Triple jumper Poorva Sawant suggests having one indoor facility in each metro city as a starting point. This would address the challenges of training in Delhi, where extreme weather conditions and pollution make it difficult for athletes to perform at their best.Para high jumper Sharad Kumar emphasizes the need for basic facilities at stadiums, such as water coolers, clean grounds, and covered areas for rest. Javelin coach Vipin Kasana laments the lack of such facilities at the JLN Stadium in Delhi.In coastal cities, athletes face the additional challenge of humidity, which can be equally debilitating. Indoor facilities would provide a much-needed respite from both heat and humidity.As India aims to host the Summer Olympics in 2036, it is crucial to invest in infrastructure that supports the development of world-class athletes. Indoor facilities would allow athletes to train consistently throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.