How Climate Change is Disrupting the World of Professional Sports

Climate change, once a distant concern for many, is now upending the world of professional sports. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and extreme events alter how games are played, where they’re hosted, and how athletes perform. The latest studies and real-world examples reveal the growing vulnerability of sports to the climate crisis.

Extreme Heat and Athlete Safety: A Growing Concern

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common, and their impact on athletes is alarming. During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, temperatures soared to dangerous levels, forcing athletes like Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev to complain about playing conditions, saying, “I can die.” Marathon runners and cyclists faced heatstroke risks despite hydration and cooling strategies. Similarly, the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, held in winter instead of the traditional summer, highlighted how extreme temperatures force organisers to rethink scheduling.

The rising heat affects performance and risks long-term health issues for players. According to the British Association for Sustainable Sport report, professional footballers are 60% more likely to suffer heat-related illnesses now than two decades ago. Climate-induced heat also impacts grassroots sports, with youth leagues like the U.S. and Australia having to cancel games during heatwaves, disrupting the pipeline for nurturing talent.

Winter Sports on the Brink of Extinction

For winter sports, the crisis is even more acute. A report by Protect Our Winters revealed that reliable snowfall has decreased by 30% in crucial skiing destinations over the past two decades. Artificial snow, used extensively during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, covered all the competition tracks, requiring over 49 million gallons of water. The environmental cost of this snowmaking process, coupled with its energy-intensive requirements, has drawn widespread criticism.

Looking forward, studies predict a grim future for winter sports. The study from the University of Waterloo suggests that by 2050, only 10 of the 21 previous Winter Olympic host cities will have cold climates to host the games. This shrinking pool of viable locations threatens not only the future of the Winter Olympics but also the economic stability of mountain communities dependent on snow sports tourism.

Sports Infrastructure Under Threat from Climate Extremes

Extreme weather events such as storms, wildfires, and floods wreak havoc on sports infrastructure. Coastal venues, like the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, are threatened by rising sea levels. In South Asia, cricket grounds frequently suffer flooding during monsoon seasons, while in Australia, smoke from wildfires has disrupted events like the Australian Open.

The financial implications of such damage are immense. A report estimated that damages to sports infrastructure from extreme weather have doubled in the last decade. This includes stadium repairs, rescheduling of events, and loss of tourism revenue. For example, hurricanes in the U.S. have repeatedly damaged golf courses, requiring millions in repairs and leading to cancelled tournaments.

Sustainable Sporting Future

Following the conclusion of the Paris Olympics two months ago, the sports industry continues to focus on sustainability. Events like the Paris 2024 Olympics have set benchmarks for eco-conscious planning. Paris 2024 reduced its carbon footprint by 50% compared to previous Games, utilising renewable energy sources and prioritising locally sourced materials. Organisations like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA increasingly embed sustainable practices into their event guidelines, signalling a shift toward greener sports management.

Athletes are also stepping up as climate advocates. The “Protect Our Winters” campaign, led by winter sports athletes, has called for stricter environmental policies to safeguard their professions. In addition, leagues like the NBA and the Premier League have introduced carbon offset programs and are exploring innovations like water-efficient grass fields for stadiums.

While these measures are steps in the right direction, experts emphasise the need for collective action involving governments, fans, and sports bodies. With a concerted effort, the future of professional sports may look similar, with fewer games, altered formats, and diminished global appeal.

References:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/05/olympic-athletes-and-volunteers-in-tokyo-tortured-by-heat

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/fifa-world-cup-2022/fifa-world-cup-2022-why-is-qatar-a-controversial-location-for-the-tournament/articleshow/95533015.cms

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/28/footballers-extreme-heat-stress-risk-world-cup-2026

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/02/ski-resorts-snow-global-warming-study

https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/2022/02/07/artificial-snow-beijing-2022-winter-olympics

https://uwaterloo.ca/news/news/climate-change-will-limit-where-winter-olympics-can-be-held#:~:text=Share-,Climate%20change%20is%20threatening%20the%20viability%20of%20the%20Winter%20Olympics,limits%20exceeded%2C%E2%80%9D%20added%20Scott.

https://www.thesaint.scot/post/underwater-golf-how-rising-sea-levels-will-affect-st-andrews

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/08/climate-change-sports-impact

https://www.instagram.com/protectourwinterseurope/?hl=en

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