“Surviving the Heat Wave: How the Olympics are Adapting to Extreme Weather”
Europe is currently experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures soaring across the continent. While Olympic athletes in Paris for the 2024 Summer Games may be spared the worst of it, the weather is still expected to be hot. As global temperatures continue to rise, major sporting events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup have had to adapt to high heat and extreme weather conditions to ensure the safety of athletes and fans.
Olympic organizers have made adjustments such as moving events like marathons to early mornings and even to cooler cities to mitigate the impact of the heat. FIFA also rescheduled the 2022 Men’s World Cup to late November to avoid the scorching temperatures in Qatar.
The heat risks and environmental impact of major sporting events have raised concerns among some individuals about whether these events should be held at all. However, experts in sport management and sustainability believe that canceling these events would overlook the benefits they bring, including the opportunity to promote sustainable actions to a global audience.
The rising global temperatures have significant implications for the Olympics, with winter sports facing the greatest threats as temperatures rise and precipitation patterns change. The Beijing Winter Games in 2022 had to artificially create snow to have ski runs due to the lack of natural snow. The International Olympic Committee has delayed the selection of Winter Games host cities for 2030 and beyond due to the uncertainty surrounding winter sports.
In response to the risks posed by climate change, major sports federations and leagues, as well as the Olympics, have implemented measures such as delaying competitions to cooler times of the day or year, providing water breaks, and offering more player substitutions. The organizers of the Tokyo Summer Games in 2021 preemptively moved the marathon to Sapporo, a city with cooler weather, to ensure the safety of the athletes.
Sustainability has been a key focus for the Olympics, with efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the games through the use of renewable energy, recycled materials, and sustainable practices. The 2024 Paris Games are certified to the latest sustainability standard and are taking steps to minimize their climate impact.
The Paris Olympic Games serve as an example of how large sporting events can promote sustainability and environmental awareness to a global audience. Spectators will experience sustainability firsthand, and organizers will highlight the games’ sustainability efforts to inspire advocacy for sustainability in communities worldwide.
Overall, the Olympic Games represent a world’s fair of sport sustainability, showcasing what is possible through collaboration with international corporations to reduce environmental impact. The strategies implemented at the 2024 Olympics will serve as a blueprint for future events, influencing other sporting events, leagues, federations, and spectators to follow suit in promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.