Boiling point! Excessive heat in Aquatics Centre annoys athletes
LONDON, England (AP) — Organisers are attempting to address complaints from swim coaches over excessive heat inside the Olympic Aquatics Centre.
The unexpected heat wave affecting London this week has created a greenhouse effect that has sent the temperature around the pool deck and in the stands soaring to more than 30 degrees Celsius (85 Fahrenheit).
At a coaches meeting yesterday, organisers announced that they are working with the air conditioning units to get the pool deck temperature down to 27 degrees Celsius (80 Fahrenheit).
“They have some problem with the climate control equipment,” FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu told The Associated Press. “It could be a problem for fans and journalists also. LOCOG had a test event here in March but they probably weren’t expecting this kind of heat.”
Canada coach Pierre Lafontaine was among those raising concerns during the meeting, which was closed to the media, saying that his athletes have been affected.
There are also milder concerns over the water temperature, which should be 26.5 degrees Celsius (79.7 Fahrenheit), according to FINA rules.
Cooler outdoor temperatures forecast over the next week could also relieve the stifling conditions.
“It shouldn’t be a problem then,” Marculescu said.
After weeks of miserable weather, the sun has shone brightly this week on London and temperatures have soared to near 30 degrees Celsius (85 Fahrenheit).
