More than 400 Olympians from 89 nations and more than 50 sports have joined forces in an open letter as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gets ready to elect a new president in Costa Navarino, Greece, next week. These 400+ Olympians urge to make climate action a top priority, emphasizing that to guarantee the Games’ long-term sustainability, the next IOC leader must place climate action at the forefront.

Competitions are already being disrupted by environmental conditions. Countries with severe climate impacts, including Colombia, Kenya, Laos, Pakistan, and Zambia, as well as small-island nations like the Bahamas, Cabo Verde, Fiji, and Samoa, are directly observing the impact of rising temperatures, storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires on training and participation. Sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya emphasized that urgent action is required because the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather and rising temperatures, are already being felt.

With temperatures reaching over 34°C and humidity levels over 70%, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics served as a clear illustration of the difficulties that lie ahead. Approximately one out of every 100 participants experienced heat-related ailments during these, the hottest Summer Games ever. Extreme heat poses serious risks, as evidenced by tennis star Daniil Medvedev’s concerning statement, “If I die, who will take responsibility?” Olympic temperatures are currently 3.1°C higher than in 1924, according to a 2023 report, and previous host cities like Tokyo, Beijing, Athens, Seoul, Rome, and Barcelona could be too hot to host the Games safely by 2050.

Winter Games on Thin Ice

The future of the Winter Olympics is equally bleak. The viability of outdoor competition is threatened by shorter winters and more unpredictable snowfall as global temperatures rise. By 2040, just ten nations will still have a climate that is appropriate for hosting the Winter Games, according to the IOC.

For a lot of winter athletes, this issue feels personal. Elana Meyers Taylor, a five-time Olympic bobsleigh medalist, stressed the value of conserving winter landscapes for coming generations. The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing were the first to use only artificial snow, a practice that is expensive, unsustainable, and harmful to the environment. Ahead of the 2026 Games in Milan, worries are growing because 90% of Italy’s ski slopes are now reliant on artificial snow. In the Alpine regions of Italy, the amount of water needed to produce artificial snow might soon equal the yearly usage of a city with one million residents.

The use of artificial snow is not sustainable. In order to ensure the Winter Games’ sustainability and lessen their environmental impact, the incoming IOC president must collaborate with host cities and athletes.

A New Gold Standard for Olympic Sustainability

Beyond the Games, the IOC plays a part in combating climate change. Nearly two-thirds of all CO2 emissions during the Olympics come from travel by spectators, competitors, and organizers, creating a massive carbon footprint. Business travel accounted for 72.3% of the estimated 17,175 tons of CO₂ equivalent carbon footprint of the 2022 Winter Olympics alone.

The IOC has committed to halving carbon emissions by 2030 under current President Thomas Bach. Athletes, meanwhile, are demanding more robust policies, such as more stringent rules for sponsors who contribute significantly to pollution. Some analysts think that to ensure the Games’ survival, a comprehensive reorganization may be required, including a reduction in international travel, decentralization of events, or alternating between a small number of sustainable host cities. As discussions around the future of the Games intensify, 400+ Olympians urge to make climate action a top priority, pushing for stronger policies to ensure a more sustainable Olympic movement.

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