What should have been a standout moment in the world of sports was almost overshadowed on Sunday as 27-year-old Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar took home his fifth Tour de France amid a last-minute course change in response to wildfires raging in the country’s southwest region. The disruption is one of a growing number of examples of extreme weather forcing changes to global sporting events.
For the final stage of the world’s most prestigious cycling race, what was meant to be a 133-kilometer (82-mile) ride was shortened to 89 km (55.3 miles). Riders were presented in Thoiry before being transported by team buses to Paris, where the race consisted entirely of circuits around the French capital, including two additional laps of the Champs-Élysées.
The change was announced late Saturday. Officials said it would allow emergency first responders and security personnel to shift their attention from the race to the wildfires.
"In a spirit of national solidarity with the areas and communities affected, it was decided to adapt the route for the final stage," the event's organizers said in a statement.
The disruption was just the latest in a series of extreme weather events that have altered this year’s competition. Earlier in the race, stage nine was shortened by 30 km (18 miles) due to extreme heat.
A number of the participants commented on the impact of extreme heat this year, including Pogačar, who suggested having cyclists race earlier, when the heat is less intense, or altering the race calendar.
“If I had the power I would change all the calendar and not race in July and August in hot places,” he said.
The race director replied that such a schedule shift would never be possible, as it could impact critical factors of the event, from obtaining government authorizations to negatively impacting viewership—and therefore the revenue—when the race is aired by broadcasters.
As of Saturday night, dozens of w
