Aspiring IOC Leaders Embrace Olympians' Demand for Climate Advocacy
As the heated race for the next International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief approaches, numerous candidates have heeded an open letter from 400 Olympians urging the new IOC boss to prioritize climate action above all.
These sports legends, hailing from 89 countries, 50 sports, and boasting 245 medals, have made it clear that climate change is a make-or-break issue. They believe the upcoming IOC leader has the unique opportunity to take the lead on this critical issue and preserve the Olympic Games as a symbol of unity and a safeguard for future sports. The new IOC president will be chosen during the 144th IOC Session in Greece from March 18-21, 2025.
Elana Meyers Taylor, a five-time Olympic medallist in bobsleigh for Team USA and flag bearer at the Beijing 2022 Games, shared her thoughts on the matter: "As athletes, we witness firsthand how our environment affects performance and well-being. Future generations deserve the chance to compete, train, and thrive in a healthy world. That's why it's vital that the next IOC President prioritizes actions that protect that future for all."
Brooke Raboutou, a silver medallist at Paris 2024 games and two-time Olympian for Team USA, echoed Meyers Taylor's sentiments: "We athletes see the impact of our environment on performance and well-being. Our children deserve a healthy world to compete, train, and thrive in. That's why the next IOC President must prioritize actions that protect the future for all."
This isn't the first time athletes have united in call for environmental action. In the past, open letters have been sent to the IOC and Paris 2024 sponsors[3].
Current Presidential Candidates' Stance
Prince Feisal Al Hussein has stated he welcomes the powerful message from athletes worldwide[1]. He has previously advocated for flexible scheduling of the Olympic Games to encourage more diverse host countries, like African nations dealing with climate challenges.
Sebastian Coe has indicated that he will prioritize climate action if elected president. He has also suggested meeting with the athlete advocates to discuss ideas and initiatives[1]. Coe has previously warned that traditional summer Olympics could become unviable by 2040 due to rising temperatures and suggested adjusting the global calendar as a solution[1].
Johan Eliasch has expressed his agreement with the athletes' message, emphasizing the need for bold action on climate change[1]. Eliasch, who founded a charity dedicated to rainforest conservation in 2006[2], has suggested various innovative solutions like rotating Winter Olympics venues to reduce environmental impact[2].
While Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Morinari Watanabe, David Lappartient, and Kirsty Coventry have yet to issue public responses to the letter, they have all spoken on environmental challenges and climate impacts ahead of the elections[1]. Coventry, for instance, has highlighted the importance of championing sustainable practices in infrastructure, logistics, and operations[2]. Lappartient has emphasized the need to adapt to environmental challenges and lead with innovation[1]. Samaranch Jr has suggested hosting Winter Olympics during the winter months to accommodate countries with extreme summer temperatures[1]. Watanabe has proposed a multi-city host model for the Games across five continents at the same time, aiming to reduce the environmental burden on single host cities[1].
The IOC has already shown a commitment to sustainability, aiming to reduce direct and indirect emissions by 50% by 2030, and compensate for more than 100% of residual emissions through the Olympic Forest project[1]. The incoming IOC president is expected to oversee multiple games, each with significant environmental stakes[1]. With climate challenges increasing, the success and longevity of the Olympic Games, as well as the athletes who inspire millions, will rely on strong, decisive leadership on climate change. [1] - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/10/sports/olympics/climate-change-olympic-candidates.html[2] - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-12/joahn-eliasch-bids-for-ioc-presidency-johan-eliasch-olympic-dream[3] - https://eduardolunardi.medium.com/olympics-stake-for-a-decarbonized-future-84a4522415d3
- Sebastian Coe, one of the IOC presidential candidates, has indicated that he will prioritize climate action if elected, and he has suggested meeting with athlete advocates to discuss ideas and initiatives.
- Thom AI Hussein, another candidate, has welcomed the message from athletes worldwide and has previously advocated for flexible scheduling of the Olympic Games to encourage more diverse host countries, like African nations dealing with climate challenges.
- John Eliasch, another candidate, has expressed his agreement with the athletes' message, emphasizing the need for bold action on climate change and suggesting innovative solutions like rotating Winter Olympics venues to reduce environmental impact.
