A historic heatwave sweeping France has thrown this weekend’s Diamond League meeting in Paris into uncertainty, with police authorities calling for the prestigious athletics event to be canceled, citing increasing pressure on emergency services and worsening weather conditions.The Paris police department announced on Friday that it had asked organizers to cancel Sunday’s Diamond League, as well as several other major public events, including a music festival and the city’s annual Pride parade. The French capital has been experiencing unusually high temperatures since June 21, forcing emergency workers to protect the most vulnerable residents first, authorities said.The county warned that cancellation orders would be enforced if organizers did not comply voluntarily.The move puts a stop on the Diamond League calendar in serious jeopardy, with Olympic champions and global stars including Noah Lyles, Femke Bol and Armand “Mondo” Duplantis are expected to compete.
Organizers hope to stage adapted event in extreme conditions
The French athletics federation, which organized the meeting, told The Associated Press that it had not received a formal cancellation order.A day earlier, organizers insisted the tournament would go ahead in a modified format aimed at minimizing health risks.“The safety of athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators remains our absolute priority,” organizers said. “Only elite athletes will be allowed to compete at the Paris Games. This adjustment ensures the event can go ahead while maintaining the highest possible safety standards.”The unprecedented weather has broken records across the country. On Thursday, average temperatures recorded at 30 weather stations hit 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) for a second consecutive day, matching the hottest national average on record, according to Météo-France.More than three-quarters of France are now under a red weather alert for the first time in the country’s history.
