More than 400 Olympic athletes from nearly 90 countries around the world have come together in an appeal so that next week’s presidential election of the IOC (Olympic Olympic Committee) make its main priority.
Signatories of an open letter requesting COI action on climate change ranged from Australia’s most decorated athlete, swimmer Emma McKeon to Cyrille Tchatchet II, a literophylist who represented the refugee team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“To the new president, we ask that in the coming years and during the course of his presidency, a question is above all others: care for our planet,” said the letter.
“Increasing temperatures and extreme weather conditions are already interrupting competition schedules, putting iconic locations at risk and affecting the health of athletes and fans,” the document continues.
“Extreme heat is raising real concerns about whether summer games can be safe in the coming years, and winter games are becoming harder to organize with reliable snow and ice conditions decreasing annually.”
Seven candidates are disputing to replace Thomas Bach as president in a vote of COI members in Costa Navarino, Greece, on March 20.
The athletes asked for an early meeting with the winning candidate after the election to discuss environmental concerns and said the IOC should strengthen existing commitments to reduce carbon emissions.
They also want Coi to defend “broader environmental actions”, promote sustainable practices with cities that host the Olympics and “establish a standard” in sponsorship agreements with companies that have a bad history of pollution.
Sailor Hannah Mills was one of the British athletes who signed the letter and said the recent forest fires in Los Angeles, the 2028 summer Olympics, illustrated that climate change is an immediate threat.
“I’m not sure if we’ve seen so many athletes from around the world talk to one voice,” said two -time Olympic champion, who is the IOC Sustainability Ambassador.
“The terrible fires in LA could not have been lighter: the time is now to draw a course for a safe and brilliant future,” she said. “The Olympics have fulfilled and fulfilled the dreams of many throughout their history, but I cannot have a greater dream than a future in which my children can prosper.”
The existing climate commitment of the “reducing, compensating, influenced” climate compromises includes a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, offering more than 100% of residual emissions and encouraging stakeholders and fans to act against climate change.
World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe, Multiple Olympic Swimming Champion Kirsty Coventry, who is Zimbabwe Sports Minister, and Coi Juan Antonio Samaranch are among the favorites to succeed Bach.
International Cycling Chief David Lapportient, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, the head of the International Gymnastics Federation Morinari Watanabe and Johan Eliasch, who leads the International Ski Federation, complete the list of candidates.
Prince Feisal said he welcomed the “powerful message from the Olympians around the world,” while Coe, who has been vocal about the impact of climate change on athletics, said he would be enchanted to meet athletes’ advocates to “share ideas and initiatives.”
