They promised to host the “greenest” Olympics ever, a Games that would double as an eco-friendly model for a warming world. All involved in the planning of Paris 2024, from the IOC to politicians, seemed to be on board. They touted a plan to halve the carbon footprint of the Olympics. They’d ditch diesel generators for renewable energy; they’d shun gas-guzzling buses for electric vehicles; they’d repurpose existing venues and build repurposable ones, with seats made from recycled plastic.
For years, Paris Olympic organizers trumpeted their commitment to sustainability, and athletes nodded along, until they arrived at a prickly piece of the plan: no air conditioning.