We explain to you how franceinfo constructed its anticipation story

On the sidelines of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which open on July 26, franceinfo is publishing several articles describing what these same Games could look like, in the middle of the century, in a warmer climate. To produce this anticipatory story, we first relied on the expertise of scientists, climate specialists and the world of sport. Some facts, references and profiles are real. We project them into the world of 2052. Others are fiction, but are consistent with the analyses of the sources consulted.

Concerning the climate, franceinfo is based on the most probable warming scenario, which corresponds to +2.7°C in France in 2050 compared to the pre-industrial era. A scenario which takes on “very little uncertainty” by the middle of the century, according to Jean-Michel Soubeyroux, climatologist at Météo-France. As will its consequences on the weather.

The adaptation and mitigation solutions mentioned in this story are in line with the expertise provided by several scientists. Franceinfo thus projects itself into a world where France has not achieved the objective of carbon neutrality by 2052. Some responses to the crisis are criticized. This future picture obviously depends on political decisions, innovations and changes in society’s behavior in the years to come.

>> Find the six stories, as they are published from July 26 to August 11: day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5 and day 6.

Researchers and experts: Paquito Bernard, researcher in physical activity sciences at the University of Montreal; Anthony Berthou, former triathlete in the French junior team, now a nutritionist and teacher at Polytechnique Lausanne on global food issues; Loïc Dombreval, veterinarian, president of the CNPA (National Council for Animal Protection); Anatole Lécuyer, director of Inria (National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology); Bruno Lina, virologist at the International Center for Infectious Disease Research in Lyon and head of the virology laboratory at the Hospices Civils de Lyon; Olivier Rabin, scientific director at the World Anti-Doping Agency; Amandine Richaud-Crambes, environmental engineer and urban planner at Ademe; Daniel Scott, professor at the Canadian University of Waterloo, researcher on climate change and tourism; Jean-Michel Soubeyroux, climatologist at Météo-France; Jean-Pierre Toussaint, professor of physiology and director of the Institute of Biomedical Research and Sports Epidemiology.

The world of sport: French Rowing Federation; French Gymnastics Federation; French Para-Sports Federation; French Mountain and Climbing Federation; French Sailing Federation; Sarah Guyot, former kayak champion; Younès Nezar, sprinter and co-founder of the Climatosportifs collective; Marie Sallois, Director of Sustainable Development at the IOC; Quitterie Tresca, young fencer.

Organizations and companies: Afnor, certifier; Alexis Teytaut, sales director for France at Tarkett Sports, a company specializing in floor coverings and sports surfaces; Isabelle Susini, director of the organization 1% for the Planet; Maggie Schelfhaut, head of communications at the company Fraîcheur de Paris; two members of the Extinction Rebellion movement; Paul Guinard, co-founder of the Nolt brand, a sports equipment manufacturer; Simon Muschtler, creator of the Rebond brand, which makes balls; Kevin Tayebaly, co-founder of the ChangeNow trade show; Vanessa Montagne, director of the Sports and Leisure sector at the Ecologic organization.

Reports and studies: “Climate change: the world of sport at +2°C and +4°C” by WWF; “Let’s decarbonize stadiums” by the think tank The Shift Project; the “Resilience Strategy” by the city of Paris; “The future of physical and sporting activity in a context of climate change” by Ademe; “2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games: facing the climate and energy challenge of international travel” by the association The Shifters; “Climate change and the future of the Olympic Winter Games: athlete and coach perspectives” published in Current Issues in Tourism; “Stepping up the game against climate change” published in ScienceDirect; “What will be the impact of climate change on sport in 2050?”, by Axa Climate.

As well as numerous articles and publications.

Journalists : Camille Adaoust and Raphaël Godet

Illustrations : Héloïse Krob and Pauline Le Nours

Design and conception : Lea Girardot

Proofreading : Boris Jullien

Editorial supervision : Julie Rasplus and Romain Scotto