Climate change and the future of the Olympic Winter Games: athlete and coach perspectives

The International Olympic Committee recognizes the risks climate change pose to the Games and its responsibility to lead on climate action. Winter is changing at the past Olympic Winter Games (OWG) locations and an important perspective to understand climate change risk is that of the athletes who put themselves at risk during these mega-sport events. A survey of 339 elite athletes and coaches from 20 countries was used to define fair and safe conditions for snow sports competitions. The frequency of unfair-unsafe conditions has increased over the last 50 years across the 21 OWG host locations. The probability of unfair-unsafe conditions increases under all future climate change scenarios. In a low emission scenario aligned to the Paris Climate Agreement, the number of climate reliable hosts remains almost unchanged throughout the twenty-first century (nine in mid-century, eight in late century). The geography of the OWG changes radically if global emissions remain on the trajectory of the last two decades, leaving only one reliable host city by the end of the century. Athletes expressed trepidation over the future of their sport and the need for the sporting world to be a powerful force to inspire and accelerate climate action.

Automated summary

The International Olympic Committee acknowledges the risks of climate change to the Olympics and recognizes its responsibility to take action on climate issues. Elite athletes and coaches from 20 countries were surveyed to define fair and safe conditions for snow sports competitions. The frequency of unfair and unsafe conditions has increased over the past 50 years at the Olympic Winter Games locations, and this trend is projected to continue under all future climate change scenarios. The geographical landscape of the Winter Olympics will drastically change if global emissions remain on their current trajectory, with only one reliable host city by the end of the century. Athletes express concerns about the future of their sport and emphasize the need for the sporting world to inspire and accelerate climate action.