Athletes taking part in the Paris Olympic Games are facing an intense heat wave

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Extract from the article: Togolese sports medicine specialist Dr Damien Ekoué Kouvahey discusses the impact of this situation on athletes' health and performance.

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Togolese sports medicine specialist Dr Damien Ekoué Kouvahey discusses the impact of this situation on athletes' health and performance.

With the exception of the Opening Ceremony, which was marked by torrential rain, temperatures have been rising steadily in Paris since the start of the Olympic Games, reaching a peak of over 40 degrees last Tuesday, before becoming milder again. Periods of high heat, particularly in urban areas, are detrimental to sporting performance. Sports medicine specialists keep repeating: sport and heat don't mix.

“These losses of water and mineral salts have an impact on performance and therefore on results. You feel muscle weakness and the body has to make an extra effort", explains Dr Damien Ekoué Kouvahey.

It is not advisable to take part in sporting activities during periods of extreme heat. However, there are ways in which athletes can adapt to protect themselves. "It's essential to take precautions when you know you're going to be competing in hot weather.You need to hydrate regularly and take mineral salts.You mustn't neglect physical and psychological preparation well before the competition, especially when it takes place in very hot weather", advises Dr Ekoué Kouvahey.

"We met some athletes who told us about their strategies.For example, for the triathlon, they were aware of the hot conditions and prepared accordingly. Many of them trained in heated rooms to get used to the conditions," explains the sports doctor.

Naturally, the organisers of the Olympic Games have put in place measures to ensure the well-being of the athletes. A large number of medical staff have been deployed to the various competition venues to ensure that athletes can be attended to quickly if necessary. In terms of rehydration, large quantities of water are made available to athletes before, during and after each event.

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