Follow the latest news on the 2024 Paris Olympics
At a Paris water fountain, Marcel, 11, ducks his baseball cap in water before adjusting it back on his head.
After days of heavy rain that blighted the opening ceremony and wrecked the triathlon, a heatwave has now hit the French capital as temperatures reach a sweltering 38°C in the sun.
“I feel refreshed,” says Marcel, but his father Vincent, 47, spares a thought for the athletes competing at the Olympic Games throughout the city. “It must be hard for them,” he says.
Paris 2024 organisers have been warned athletes will be at risk if France swelters in the extreme heat it has endured in recent years, as climate change throws the Olympic summer rhythm into doubt.
The hosts are banking on tents, fans and an 8am marathon to keep people cool in the French capital, which has had two red-alert heatwaves in the past five summers.
Tokyo 2020 was described as the hottest Olympics ever and world athletics bosses were warned in a recent report, Rings of Fire, that Paris “has the potential to surpass that” after setting a 42.6°C heat record in 2019.
Thermal physiologist Mike Tipton, one of the report's authors, told The National that the ideal temperature for events such as the triathlon, marathon and race walking is a far milder 11°C.
“Elite athletes can manage into the 20s, but because of climate change we’ve got something like a five to six times increased likelihood of a heatwave during the Olympics,” said Prof Tipton, who has advised Britain's Royal Air Force on survival in extreme conditions.
“If it’s like it was a couple of years ago in Paris, it could be low 40s. That’s in the area where the recommendation is 'don’t do the activity'.”
Officials and spectators could also be at risk, while ultra-competitive elite athletes may try to push through the pain at temperatures that mean their bodies struggle to lose heat, said the University of Portsmouth professor.
“You and I, if we go for a run in the heat, will get hot and we’ll start to get a drive to reduce our exercise and even stop. Elite athletes override that and they’re the ones who are likely to run to the point of collapse,” he said.
“We also see it in things like Special Forces selection. We’ve seen people lose their lives.”
Heat island
Meteorologists warn that densely-built Paris is a ‘heat island’ that can be as much as 10°C warmer than surrounding rural areas. A heatwave red alert was triggered in 2019 and 2020.
Paris 2024 organisers have war-gamed four extreme weather scenarios involving heatwaves, rain, drought and air pollution, with contingency plans for each sport. Events could be postponed if safety thresholds are crossed.
The city has also installed 1,400 “points of freshness” with water fountains, shaded areas and water mist.
Organising massive sports events is an attractive prospect for cities to generate income but it has also become a challenge due to pollution and climate change, former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson, whose city hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, told The National.
Host cities like Paris are increasingly using the Games to accelerate pledges to reduce air pollution and become more liveable for its residents.
Speaking in Paris at a recent meeting of eco-minded mayors from roughly 100 cities, Mr Robertson said that hosting the Olympic Games was a “win-win for the city”.
“It's very important to use major events like the Olympics to advance our most important goals around sustainability, human rights and liveable cities,” said Mr Robertson, who oversaw the Games described at the time as the greenest ever.
The organisers of the Paris 2024 Summer Games said they will emit 50 per cent less emissions than the London 2012 Games.
Having pledged a green legacy, they face what is known as the ‘cooling dilemma’ in which power-hungry air conditioners can ease the effects of global warming but drive it on at the same time.
The most powerful air con will be reserved for “strictly necessary spaces” and fans used where possible. The hosts say it is “no longer possible” to hold the Olympics “while ignoring the immense challenge posed by climate change”.
It appeared that many delegations were unconvinced as they ordered about 2,500 temporary cooling units at their own expense. Their main concern appeared to be missing sleep because of the heat.
Sydney 2000 took place in September, and the Qatar World Cup in men’s football was moved to winter. But the next two Olympics, in Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032, are in the usual July and August slot.
Climate change has also led to ski slopes drying up, coastal sailing clubs disappearing and cricket and tennis dealing with drought and wildfires.
Olympic future
Madeleine Orr, an author who has worked with the UN and sporting bodies on climate change, has argued for a smaller Olympics with a lower carbon footprint.
In a recent interview with The National she suggested reducing Olympic crowds to below 10,000, with most tickets going to locals, giving smaller host cities a chance.
“It’ll be fun, and the rest of us can watch from home – and most of the world does. No one’s ever blinked at the fact that poor people can’t travel to the Olympics,” she said.
Scientists have even warned that the Paris Summer Games may be the last to be held during the summer months as temperatures rise. But the idea is difficult to fathom for diehard fans who have travelled to France from far away to attend the Games.
“This is the time of year that people are on holiday, so they have the chance to come with their families and children,” said Marlon, a 60-year old tourist Brazilian tourist in Paris who lives in Norway. “There's not much we can do about climate change. We have to adapt.”
An alternative that might come into play would be for athletes to be monitored by wearable tech, possibly allowing officials to step in for their safety, said Prof Tipton.
He said tinkering around the edges of Olympic rules, for example with extra water breaks in tennis, may not be enough when heatwaves become ever more likely.
“They’re going to come more frequently, be longer-lasting and more intense. If the probability of that goes up and up and up, you’re going to have to start thinking about moving to different places, different times of the year,” he said.
“Your probability of harming someone, or diminishing the spectacle too much is going to be too high.”
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE CARD
The line-up as it stands for the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on April 27
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns
Casket match
The Undertaker v Rusev
Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Bludgeon Brothers v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship
Sheamus and Cesaro v Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy
United States Championship
Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
Singles match
Triple H v John Cena
To be confirmed
AJ Styles will defend his WWE World Heavyweight title and Cedric Alexander his Cruiserweight Championship, but matches have yet to be announced
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm
Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto
Price: From Dh139,995
On sale: now
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Itcan profile
Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani
Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India
Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
Size: 70 employees
Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch
Funding: Self-funded to date
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
UAE - India ties
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China
Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion
The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India
Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015
His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016
Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017
Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
The years Ramadan fell in May
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
