The future of winter sports is in jeopardy as climate change threatens the very essence of the Winter Olympics. Belgian biathlete Maya Cloetens, training for the upcoming Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy, reflects on the changing landscape of her sport. With the Earth warming at an unprecedented rate, the list of suitable locations for the Winter Olympics is shrinking. Researchers predict that by the 2050s, only 52 out of 93 mountain locations currently equipped for winter sports will have the necessary snow depth and cold temperatures to host the Games. This number could drop to as low as 30 by the 2080s, depending on global efforts to curb carbon dioxide pollution. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is considering drastic measures, such as rotating the Games among a permanent pool of suitable locations and holding them earlier in the season to avoid the warming climate. The situation is dire for the Paralympic Winter Games as well, which typically follow the Olympics by two weeks. However, early modeling suggests that starting both sets of games about three weeks earlier could nearly double the number of reliable locations for the Paralympics. The reliance on snowmaking technology is growing, with the 2022 Beijing Olympics being the first to almost entirely depend on artificial snow. Despite the challenges, the IOC is committed to showcasing how to protect winter sports for the long term. They have chosen the French Alps for the 2030 Winter Olympics and Salt Lake City, Utah, for 2034, and are in discussions with Switzerland for 2038. The focus is on countries with existing infrastructure and high standards for climate protection, like Milan-Cortina, which is using mostly existing venues to minimize environmental impact. The organizing committee aims to create a more sustainable future, both for the Olympic movement and for broader social transformation, as the world grapples with the consequences of climate change on the iconic Winter Olympics.
