Climate Change Threatens Winter Olympics Future

Climate change is drastically altering the landscape for winter sports, casting a shadow over the future of the Olympic Games. Biathlete Maya Cloetens observes firsthand the diminished snowfall in her training grounds near Grenoble, France, a former Olympic host city. Researchers predict that by the 2050s, only 52 of the current 93 potential winter sports venues will possess adequate snow depth and cold temperatures to host the Games. This number could further decrease to as low as 30 by the 2080s, depending on global carbon emission levels. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is actively exploring solutions, including the possibility of a permanent pool of host locations and advancing the games' schedule to earlier in the season. This proactive approach aims to mitigate the impact of rising global temperatures on the viability of winter sports events.

Past Winter Olympic host cities like Chamonix, France, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, and Sochi, Russia, are unlikely to be considered for future events due to these climate concerns. The situation is particularly stark for the Paralympic Winter Games, though scheduling the events approximately three weeks earlier could significantly increase the number of viable locations. Snowmaking technology, first used in 1980 and relied upon heavily by Beijing in 2022, is now a critical component. However, this technology demands substantial energy and water resources, raising further environmental questions. For instance, the upcoming Milan Cortina Games plan to use an estimated 250 million gallons of water for snowmaking, necessitating the creation of new reservoirs.

The IOC acknowledges the environmental footprint of the Games, including travel and venue operations, and is imposing stricter requirements on future hosts to minimize water and electricity consumption and avoid unnecessary construction. The selection of the French Alps for 2030, Salt Lake City for 2034, and ongoing discussions with Switzerland for 2038 reflect a strategic shift towards countries with robust existing infrastructure and strong environmental commitments. Organizers are emphasizing sustainability, aiming to model a more responsible future for both the Olympic movement and broader societal transformation, recognizing that change is imperative.