A historic heat wave hitting France has thrown this weekend’s Paris Diamond League meeting into uncertainty after police authorities called for the prestigious track and field event to be canceled, citing increasing 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 major public events, including a music festival and the city’s annual Pride march. Authorities said the exceptional 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 volunteer to comply, they will apply the cancellation order.The move puts one of the marquee stages on the Diamond League schedule in serious jeopardy, with Olympic champions and world stars including Noah Lyles, Femke Bol and Armand “Mondo” Duplantis expected to compete.
Organizers hope to stage a suitable event despite the extreme conditions
The French Athletics Federation, which organizes the meeting, told The Associated Press that it had not yet received the official cancellation order.A day earlier, organizers insisted the competition would go ahead in a modified format designed to minimize health risks.“The safety of athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators remains our top priority,” organizers said. “Only elite athletes will be allowed to compete at the Paris Meeting. This adaptation ensures that the event can proceed, 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 a second consecutive day on Thursday, matching the hottest national average ever recorded.For the first time in the history of the country, more than three quarters of France have been subject to a red weather alert.
