"ozone can have a minimal impact, but it still has an impact on sporting performance,” explains Pierre Pernot, an engineer with the French Air Pollution Board (Airparif). "We know that environmental conditions, and air pollution in particular, can have an impact on sporting performance. In the case of ozone, it's a bit complicated, since it's difficult to see the difference between the impact of ozone on sporting performance and the impact of high temperatures, or even heatwaves, since the two are generally associated. What the studies show is that ozone can have a minimal impact, but it still has an impact on sporting performance. Ozone can impact the athletes in ways such as their order of the place, the colour of medals they receive, and their place on the podium," he adds as the Île-de-France region is affected by a pollution peak linked to hot weather, but which will not continue on Wednesday August 31, according to Airparif. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES