The technology was first used to keep horses cool at Tokyo 2020. “With a focus on welfare, the horses will be monitored using cutting-edge thermal imaging technology to detect and prevent overheating, allowing them to be in peak condition for competition,” the FEI says.
Athletes and spectators were significantly less impressed by the heat mitigation measures that were in place for them. At Roland Garros, those in singles matches were given the chance to request a 10-minute break before third sets. But Briton Jack Draper was among those to point out organisers had failed to do enough to get enough water on the court.
“I’m a big, big sweater,” Draper said, his face still covered in perspiration about half an hour after his three-set loss to Taylor Fritz of the United States. “The bottles don’t stay cool. We were drinking hot water out there.”
Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 US Open runner-up, also complained of “crazy heat”, while in gymnastics, Simon Biles posted “don’t come for me about my hair” as she said it felt like the temperature was “9,000 degrees”.