Paris Diamond League in doubt as police seek cancellation due to historic heat wave | More Sports News:
A historic heat wave that has spread across France has thrown uncertainty into this weekend’s Paris Diamond League meeting after police authorities asked to cancel the prestigious track and field event, citing increased pressure on emergency services and worsening weather conditions.The Paris police prefecture announced on Friday that it had asked organizers to cancel Sunday’s Diamond League meeting, along with several other large public events including a music festival and the city’s annual Pride march. Authorities say the extraordinary heat, which has gripped the French capital since June 21, has forced emergency responders to prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable residents.The prefecture has warned that if the organizers do not comply voluntarily, it will enforce the cancellation order.The move puts one of the marquee stops on the Diamond League calendar in grave danger, with Olympic champions and world stars including Noah Lyles, Femke Bol: and Armand “Mondo” Duplantis are expected to compete.
Organizers hope to hold the event in spite of the extreme conditions
The French Athletics Federation, which organized the meeting, told The Associated Press that it had not yet received the official cancellation order.A day earlier, the organizers insisted that the competition will continue with a modified format designed to minimize health risks.“The safety of athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators remains our absolute priority,” the organizers said. “Only elite athletes will be allowed to compete at the Paris Meeting. This adaptation ensures that the event can go ahead while maintaining the highest possible safety standards.”The unprecedented weather has already broken national records. According to Meteo France, the average temperature recorded at 30 weather stations reached 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) for the second day in a row on Thursday, equaling the hottest nationwide average ever recorded.More than three-quarters of France is now under a red weather alert for the first time in the country’s history.
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