The world’s top athletes—skiers, weightlifters, boxers, swimmers, and more—are rallying for action on climate change, and the newly-elected president of the International Olympic Committee has pledged to give their demands serious attention.
March saw a flurry of activity in support of climate action within the sports world, starting with a pact between leading cross-country skiers and climate activists to advance climate action in winter sports—and prevent a World Championship race in Trondheim, Norway, from being disrupted by the same activists protesting its sponsorship by oil and gas giant Equinor.
Signed by skiers from Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, and the United States, the pact commits them to work with the group Folk Mot Fossilmakta, or People Against Fossil Power, to create two proposals ahead of an International Ski and Snowboard Federation (ISF) meeting in June, reports FasterSkier.
One proposal asks the ISF to adopt new guidelines around event sponsorship that would prioritize those with a “genuine commitment to climate leadership”. The other calls for the federation to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT).
In return for skiers’ commitment to push the ISF on climate action, the climate activists agreed not to disrupt the men’s 50-kilometre race with protests.
Not every cross-country skier signed the pact. Some, like those sponsored by oil and gas companies, abstained. But those who did expressed their full support for the activist cause.
“I absolutely love ski racing. But to use that platform to make meaningful change, that is purpose,” American ski champ Julia Kern told FastSki.
Norwegian Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who won gold in all six men’s events in Trondheim, did not sign, but in an interview said he would “love to be part of the conversation.”
A few days later, an open letter signed by 440 amateur athletes from more than 90 countries and 50 sports was delivered to the seven candidates running for president of the International Olympic Committee. More than 20 Canadian elite athletes signed the letter, reports CBC News.
Citing January’s devastating wildfires in Los Angeles as “a stark reminder of why bold action is needed,” the letter urged the candidates to pledge they will strengthen the IOC’s commitments to cut emissions, champion sustainable practices in host cities, set rules around high-polluting sponsorships, and advocate for environmental action through the IOC platform.
Zimbabwean candidate Kirsty Coventry, the seven-time Olympic medallist in competitive swimming who would go on to win the presidency, expressed strong support for the athletes’ demands, reported Forbes.
“Safeguarding our planet is a responsibility I deeply believe in and since these athletes have requested a meeting with the next IOC President, if I am entrusted with this role, I will make it a priority,” Coventry said, a day before securing the position on March 21.
“As athletes, we are role models with a unique platform to drive positive change, and this initiative will help amplify the call for climate action.”
Olympic swimmer Cheyenne Rova from Fiji told Forbes it was “a powerful and encouraging feeling” to know that Coventry shares the athletes’ concerns about the climate crisis.
“It shows that our voices are not only being heard but are helping to drive change.”
Coventry will assume the IOC presidency in June.
