How Climate Change Is Threatening to Melt Away the Future of the Winter Olympics
Sports Illustrated • • general
Key Points:
- The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics faced unusually warm conditions with most snow being man-made, highlighting the impact of climate change on traditional winter sports venues.
- Studies show that by the 2050s, only about half of past and potential Olympic host cities will reliably have natural snow, with many relying heavily on artificial snowmaking and energy-intensive cooling systems.
- Climate change threatens the future of the Winter Olympics, prompting calls from athletes and advocacy groups like Protect Our Winters for stronger sustainability measures and climate action within the sports community.
- The International Olympic Committee is adapting by allowing more spread-out venues, greater reuse of facilities, and considering new locations, but challenges remain due to infrastructure, geopolitical issues, and the need for energy
