Urban Heat Risks for Marathon Runners During the Olympic Games in Cities

Paris Roofing Material Map Created by Bloomberg Using U.K. Non-Profit Data: Nearly 80% of Buildings in Paris Have Zinc Roofs Capable of Reaching 190°F in Summer, Potentially heating Surrounding Areas and Enhancing Heat Risk.

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2025 June 17 . 4:41 AM

2 min read

Paris, the venue for the 2024 Summer Olympics, has been mapped out using data on rooftop materials... — Paris, the venue for the 2024 Summer Olympics, has been mapped out using data on rooftop materials from a British non-profit. The majority of Parisian structures, approximately 80%, feature zinc rooftops that can reach temperatures of up to 190°F during the summer, contributing to local heating and raising the likelihood of hot conditions in surrounding areas.

Urban Heat Risks for Marathon Runners During the Olympic Games in Cities

Paris Olympic Marathon: Beating the Heat, But Is Zinc a Concern?

Bloomberg has revealed a surprising detail about the 2024 Summer Olympics' host city, Paris. The city's rooftops, mainly made of zinc, could become a potential issue for athletes competing in the marathon. With zinc rooftops dominating a staggering 80% of Parisian buildings, the sweltering summer heat can skyrocket to a mouth-scorching 190°F. This intense temperature rise can cause the surrounding areas to heat up, making it a double whammy for the Olympic marathoners, particularly with the route cutting right through the zinc-dense zones of Paris.

The marathon's course begins at the historic Paris City Hall and culminates at the illustrious Les Invalides (the pantheon). This treacherous heat tug-of-war could potentially exacerbate health concerns for the athletes, especially considering the rigorous physical exertion they will undergo.

However, it's important to note that there are no documented concerns specifically centered on zinc rooftops affecting the athletes. Although various health and safety considerations such as hydration, managing heat, air quality, and injury prevention have been discussed in recent guidance and event planning sources, none have specifically identified zinc rooftops as a hazardous risk.

Modern zinc roofing, when maintained properly, contains zinc in a stable form. This means it's unlikely to serve as a significant source of environmental zinc exposure unless the material starts to deteriorate, corrode, or come into direct contact with runoff that could potentially harm athletes. In the highly unlikely event that zinc particles or runoff become airborne or contaminate water sources at excessively high levels, health effects like respiratory irritation and gastrointestinal issues from ingesting contaminated water could potentially arise.

In light of the available Olympic planning and public safety guidance, such scenarios aren't highlighted as severe concerns. Moreover, there's no mention of zinc roofing posing a health risk in major scientific reviews or public health advisories related to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In essence, while environmental factors are always taken into account during event planning, there's currently no evidence or official concern suggesting zinc rooftops as a health hazard for the marathoners or other athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Data from environmental science or public health advisories associated with the 2024 Paris Olympics has not identified zinc rooftops as a potential health hazard for athletes.
In discussing health and safety considerations for the athletes of the 2024 Paris Olympics, topics such as hydration, managing heat, air quality, and injury prevention have been addressed, but zinc roofing has not been identified as a specific risk.
Fitness and exercise enthusiasts and medical researchers studying the 2024 Paris Olympic marathon's potential issues may find it interesting that zinc rooftops, despite covering 80% of Parisian buildings, have not been established as a concern related to athletes' health and wellness.