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Only Money Matters, Not Athletes Dying in the Heat
🇭🇺 Hungary /Sports

Only Money Matters, Not Athletes Dying in the Heat

From Magyar Nemzet · () Hungarian

Translated from Hungarian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Professional cyclists are speaking out against extreme heat during races like the Tour de France.
  • Cyclists like Tadej Pogacar and Jakub Mensik have called for changes to the race calendar and start times due to dangerous temperatures.
  • Organizers cite logistical and broadcast reasons for not altering schedules, prioritizing the event over athlete well-being.

Concerns are mounting within the professional cycling and tennis communities regarding the dangerous heat conditions athletes face during major international competitions. Athletes are increasingly vocal about the risks posed by extreme temperatures, but organizers appear resistant to significant changes.

If I had enough power, I would change the entire race calendar and not compete in July and August in hot places like France.

— Tadej PogacarThe cyclist expressing his desire for a revised competition schedule to avoid extreme heat.

Tadej Pogacar, a prominent cyclist, expressed his frustration after a shortened Tour de France stage, stating, "If I had enough power, I would change the entire race calendar and not compete in July and August in hot places like France." He suggested earlier start times, even as early as 5 a.m., to ensure more normal racing conditions, lamenting that the current situation is "not normal."

However, Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme cited logistical and television broadcasting constraints as reasons why earlier starts are not feasible. This response highlights a perceived prioritization of the event's operational demands over the health and safety of the athletes, leaving cyclists feeling secondary to the race itself.

It is not normal.

— Tadej PogacarPogacar describing the current heat conditions during the Tour de France.

Similar issues are affecting tennis players. At the French Open in Paris, Czech player Jakub Mensik collapsed on court due to the heat after a grueling match. He described playing in such conditions as "insane" and "murder" after spending over four and a half hours under the sun. Even legendary player Novak Djokovic urged organizers to use "common sense" and postpone matches.

Insane to play in this weather.

— Jakub MensikThe tennis player describing the dangerous heat conditions during Roland Garros.

Despite these pleas from athletes, the response from organizers has been minimal. The established schedules for major events like the Tour de France and Roland Garros are deeply entrenched, driven by broadcast contracts and sponsor commitments. This suggests that, for now, the demands of the competition and its commercial aspects will continue to outweigh the immediate concerns for athlete welfare in extreme heat.

Spending more than four and a half hours on the court with the sun beating down on your head, unable to rest, it's murder.

— Jakub MensikMensik detailing the physical toll of playing in extreme heat.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Magyar Nemzet in Hungarian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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