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🇫🇷 France /Disasters & Emergencies

Roland Garros Responders Intervene Record 28 Times in One Day Amidst Heatwave

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Roland Garros emergency responders intervened 28 times on Tuesday, setting a new daily record for the tournament.
  • While a heatwave is affecting Paris, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) insists not all interventions are heat-related.
  • Responders have been called 116 times in the first five days of the tournament, with organizers predicting a potential total of 200-230 interventions for the entire event.

Emergency responders at Roland Garros intervened 28 times on Tuesday, surpassing the previous record of 25 set in 2017. Organizers announced the new daily high on Friday, May 29. This surge in activity comes amidst an exceptional heatwave gripping Paris since the tournament's commencement.

What I consider an 'intervention' is any departure of the rescuers from the central security post.

— Michel Franco DurandExplaining the scope of emergency responder activity at Roland Garros.

However, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) emphasizes that not all calls for assistance are directly linked to the high temperatures. Michel Franco Durand, head of the Grand Slam's fire and rescue service, explained that an "intervention" encompasses any departure of responders from the central security post. This can range from treating an injured tournament employee to assisting a spectator experiencing a medical issue.

Durand detailed that priority is given to the public, but the service also supports all other tournament personnel, including accredited individuals, service providers, and partners. In the first five days alone, emergency responders have been mobilized 116 times. Organizers anticipate potentially reaching 200 to 230 interventions by the tournament's conclusion, though they do not expect thousands of calls.

We intervene primarily for the public, but we are there to support all other tournament populations, whether they are accredited, service providers, or partners.

— Michel Franco DurandDescribing the range of individuals assisted by the emergency services.

The intense heat, with daily temperatures exceeding 30°C since May 24, has taken a toll on several top players. Notable athletes like Norway's Casper Ruud and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who was eliminated in the second round, have experienced physical distress attributed to the conditions. Météo-France forecasts that Paris will experience its heat peak on Friday, with temperatures expected to reach 35°C, and the capital region remains under orange heatwave alert since Thursday.

We are perhaps going to reach 200 interventions, perhaps 230, but we will not have thousands of interventions.

— Michel Franco DurandPredicting the total number of interventions for the tournament.
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Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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