Paris Olympics brings out hoses and misters to cool down fans during heat wave

PARIS (AP) — The 2024 Olympics famously launched with a rain-soaked opening ceremony that drenched athletes and spectators alike. Now, they're enduring the opposite experience Tuesday: a heat wave.

Most of France is under a heat wave warning, with temperatures in Paris and surrounding areas expected to climb to 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) or higher, the national weather agency said. Air conditioning is far less common in French homes, shops and restaurants than in places like the United States.

“It’s really hot out there,” German women’s tennis player Angelique Kerber said Tuesday after winning her singles match. “You just try to take your time during the breaks.”

The heat was expected to be even worse in the south, including the region around the Mediterranean city of Marseille that is hosting Olympic competitions like soccer and sailing. It was as hot as 40 C (104 F) in parts of southern France on Monday and the temperatures were expected to match that high again Tuesday.

Back-to-back record global heat was seen last week as climate change makes extreme weather more frequent and intense. Paris 2024 organizers have aimed to cut the event's carbon footprint, with measures like turning to an underfloor cooling system and insulation instead of air conditioning at the Olympic village where athletes are staying. Some countries, like the U.S., brought their own air conditioning units.

Visitors and athletes endured a sweaty and sunny Tuesday before thunderstorms were expected to sweep into the Paris area in the evening. People dipped into a Paris canal that's a popular swim spot or fanned themselves at exposed Olympic venues.

Volunteers used hoses to spray down cheering fans at the shadeless beach volleyball stadium near the Eiffel Tower and put up signs about water refilling areas. Spectators ducked under trees for shade, while players on the sunbaked sand — which can be more than 20 C (30 F) hotter than the air temperature — took extra breaks to drape bags of ice over their heads and shoulders.

“Very hot,” Egyptian beach volleyball player Doaa Elghobashy remarked after competing in long sleeves, pants and a hijab. “But not like Egypt.”

A handful of misters were set up at La Concorde urban park, the venue that's been hosting skateboarding and BMX freestyle cycling. The Paris area's train and metro operator said it was distributing more than 2.5 million containers of water at over 70 train stations and other stops on its network, as well as at bus stations.

The equestrian teams were spraying their horses with cool water and keeping them in the shade after riding the course, which doesn’t take long. Riders also said they cut down the warmups from 45 minutes to half an hour ahead of competitions held in the regal gardens of the Palace of Versailles outside Paris.

“It’s really hot, but you have to be professional about it,” British rider Carl Hester said after an event Tuesday. “Lots of walk breaks so the horses can relax. We’ve got a covered arena, so it keeps the sun off their backs.”

German rider Julia Krajewski, the defending Olympic champion in the category of individual eventing, pointed out that she “would be more worried for the spectators to be honest.”

She said Monday that she wasn't worried about competing in her thick jacket, helmet and heavy boots because “I personally prefer the heat” but “you have to be sensitive, know your horse.”

Some other athletes weren't too concerned either.

U.S. tennis player Coco Gauff said Monday, before the worst of the heat, that she “felt good” after her match and that it was “like playing in Florida.”

“I did use the ice towel, which I rarely do at matches, but it was more of a preventative thing,” the reigning U.S. Open champion said a day before being eliminated in singles competition.

On the other hand, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, who beat rival Spain's Rafael Nadal on Monday, found it “pretty hot on the court,” noting the change from Saturday’s rain. “Paris weather is quite unpredictable,” he said.

Further south, American windsurfer Dominique Stater wore a vest filled with ice packs after her races in Marseille on Monday, where it hit 31 C (88 F) in the late afternoon.

“It’s pretty crazy heat, more than Miami,” said Stater, who's from the sweltering Florida metropolis.

Stater said staying hydrated is top of mind, especially because the windsurfers are swathed in extensive protective gear.

That's the same advice weather officials are passing along to those planning to be outside on Tuesday: Hydrate, avoid going out in the afternoon when it's hottest and wear a hat.

France's national weather agency described heat waves as “increasingly intense, frequent, early and long-lasting” amid climate change. It said that before 1989, such high temperatures were observed on average once every five years, and since 2000, they repeat every year. It predicts the trend will keep increasing.

AP writers Jerome Pugmire in Versailles, France; Jimmy Golen, Jenna Fryer, Howard Fendrich, Hanna Arhirova, Stephen Whyno and Courtney Bonnell in Paris, and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Marseilles, France, contributed.

A man uses an umbrella to shield himself from the hot afternoon sun near the Grand Palais fencing venue at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

A family cools themselves under water spraying fans as the temperature rises at the 2024 Summer Olympics shooting venue in Chateauroux, France, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A fan tries to cool off during rowing competitions at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Germany's Julia Krajewski, riding Nickel 21, competes during the Equestrian Cross Country competition at Chateau de Versailles for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Versailles, France. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Coco Gauff of the United States returns the ball against Maria Lourdes Carle of Argentina during the women's singles tennis competition at the Roland Garros Stadium at the 2024 Summer Olympics on Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Serbia's Novak Djokovic cools off during a break as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal during their men's singles second round match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

People cool off under a misting fountain while filling their water bottles on a hot afternoon during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Eli, 10, cools off under a misting fountain on a hot afternoon during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

People cool off under a mist outside the Eiffel Tower Stadium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Fans use umbrella to shelter from the sun as they line the shore at the Olympic marina to see sailing boats come and go, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Marseille, France. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Charlotte, 6, from Germany, plays with a misting fountain on a hot afternoon during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Spectators try to cool themselves off ahead of the men's canoe single finals of the canoe slalom at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

A spectator walks through a water mist sprayers on her way to Eiffel Tower Stadium to watch a beach volleyball at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Authorities were searching Sunday for a man who they believe may be linked to the shooting of nine vehicles and wounding of five people on a highway in rural southeastern Kentucky.

Although they said they could not yet name him a suspect in Saturday's shootings along busy Interstate 75, authorities said they consider 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch a “person of interest" and were searching for him in a remote area of rugged and hilly terrain north of London, a community of about 8,000 people roughly 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Lexington.

“We’re going to go in and we’re going to find this guy,” Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters Sunday.

Authorities consider Couch, who is white, to be armed and dangerous, and they cautioned members of the public who might spot him not to approach him. Acciardo said law enforcement got a “lucky break” that led them to zero in on Couch as a person of interest, but that he couldn't elaborate.

Acciardo said authorities were notified at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday about gunshots along the highway near exit 49. An individual who was “off that exit” fired multiple rounds into the northbound and southbound lanes, striking nine vehicles and wounding five people, he said. The shooter was not in a vehicle at the time.

“When our first two units got to the scene there, they said it was a madhouse: people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers going, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles shot. Can you imagine that? Just chaotic,” Acciardo said during a news conference.

The wounded were hospitalized in stable condition early Sunday. Some had “very serious” injuries, including one person who was shot in the face, Acciardo said.

Residents of Laurel County were on edge as authorities searched on foot Sunday in a remote wooded area near the highway that has only one business and a few houses nearby. London Laurel Rescue squad sent a drone to assist. State lawmakers from Laurel County urged residents in the area to stay home during the search.

“We had numerous calls throughout the county and we’re still getting them this morning," Acciardo said, of calls from concerned community members. “This is a remote area. If he was going to target some place that he wanted to do something like this, it was the perfect spot.”

Rodney Goodlett, pastor of Faith Assembly of God in London, was helping direct traffic as parishioners gathered for a service Sunday morning. He said he expected the search to hold down attendance.

“There’s definitely people … that probably won’t be here today — just nervous with the suspect still at large,” he said.

Goodlett said the congregation was going to pray for the community, the wounded and the first responders, some of whom attend Faith Assembly, where around 275 parishioners pray each week.

“This is tragic, obviously, that somebody would randomly do violent acts,” he said. “You hear media things taking place all around our country, but then when it hits home, it’s a little bit of a wake-up call.”

Authorities believe there was only one shooter, and Acciardo said they do not think the shooting was sparked by road rage. Authorities released a photo of Couch and warned residents to be on the lookout, but Acciardo cautioned that they “have not determined that this is the individual that fired the weapon.”

“We do have the area contained right now. It’s a very fluid investigation. Our people are still on the scene. Our special response team is there. We are trying to find a shooter there,” he said.

Acciardo said the search s dangerous for first responders and is painstaking because of thick foliage There are “a lot of woods, a lot of cuts in the rock," he said. “He could be hiding behind a tree and us walk right up on him.”

“We’re just hoping for a good resolution,” Acciardo said.

In an video update on Facebook late Saturday night, London Mayor Randall Weddle tried to calm fears. He urged residents to call 911 if they hear or see anything suspicious near their homes.

“We’re asking folks please do not go outside your home shooting because we might have first responders in that area. It's important to know you are safe. We have multiple agencies in this community, in the city of London and in Laurel County," Weddle said.

Weddle said searchers “know the general area where this individual is,” but he would not release specific details.

“I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security — together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post on X. “Please pray for everyone involved.”

Rodney Goodlett, Pastor of the Faith Assembly Church, gives his reaction to the shooting along I-75 in London, Ky., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Rodney Goodlett, Pastor of the Faith Assembly Church, reacts to the shooting along I-75 in London, Ky., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, public information officer with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, gives details Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, on the progress of the investigation into the shooting along Interstate 75 on Saturday in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, public information officer with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, gives details Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, on the progress of the investigation into the shooting along Interstate 75 on Saturday in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, public information officer with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, gives details Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, on the progress of the investigation into the shooting along Interstate 75 on Saturday in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, public information officer with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, gives details Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, on the progress of the investigation into the shooting along Interstate 75 on Saturday in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, Public information Officer with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, gives details on the progress of the investigation of the shooting along I-75 in London, Ky., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, Public information Officer with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, gives an update on the progress of the search for the suspect linked to the shooting along I-75 in London, Ky., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

This image released by the Mount Vernon Fire Department shows traffic stopped during an active shooting on Interstate 75 north of London, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Camden Mink/Mount Vernon Fire Department via AP)

This image released by Kentucky’s London Police Department shows Joseph A. Couch, a person of interest in the Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, shootings on Interstate 75 near London, Ky. (London Police Department via AP)

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, Public information Officer with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, gives details on the progress of the investigation of the shooting along I-75 in London, Ky., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)