U.S. Olympic and other teams will bring their own AC units to Paris, undercutting environmental plan

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic CEO said Friday the federation would be supplying AC units for what is typically the largest contingent of athletes at the Summer Games.

EUGENE, Ore. — The U.S. Olympic team is one of a handful that will supply air conditioners for its athletes at the Paris Games in a move that undercuts organizers’ plans to cut carbon emissions.

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic CEO Sarah Hirshland said Friday that while the U.S. team appreciates efforts aimed at sustainability, the federation would be supplying AC units for what is typically the largest contingent of athletes at the Summer Games.

“As you can imagine, this is a period of time in which consistency and predictability is critical for Team USA’s performance,” Hirshland said. “In our conversations with athletes, this was a very high priority and something that the athletes felt was a critical component in their performance capability.”

A living room of the Olympic Village in Paris on Feb. 28.Thibault Camus / AP fileThe Washington Post reported earlier this month that Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada and Britain were among the other countries with plans to bring air conditioners to France.

Olympic organizers have touted plans to cool rooms in the athletes village, which will house more than 15,000 Olympians and sports officials over the course of the games, using a system of cooling pipes underneath the floors.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/us-olympic-teams-bring-ac-units-paris-rcna158415

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