Rings of Fire: new report warns of climate heat threat to Olympic athletes
In a vital warning before the 2024 Olympics in Paris, multiple athletes have come forward to say that extreme heat poses risks to their lives at the latest Olympic Games.
The new Rings of Fire report was produced by the British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS) and Australian sports advocacy group FrontRunners, with the input of 11 Olympians and leading climate scientists. In it, athletes warn they face increasingly dangerous conditions at the upcoming Olympics, due to rising climate change-induced heat. The report warns that the 2024 Olympics could be the hottest on record; the intense heat forecast for competition could lead to athletes collapsing or, in worst-case scenarios, dying in competition.
Before this report, the previous 2021 Tokyo Olympics were already the hottest summer games on record. Temperatures in Japan exceeded 34°C, and humidity levels were around 70%, making conditions ‘torturous’ for athletes. Numerous Olympians vomited or fainted, while world number two tennis player Daniel Medvedev said he feared for his life. This summer’s Olympics in Paris have the potential to surpass that, making competition difficult, or potentially deadly for athletes.
The report also touched on results from World Athletics’ third annual survey of athletes’ views on climate. 75% of the 350+ athletes polled perceived a direct negative impact on their health and performance due to climate change, while 85% also expressed that the sport of athletics has experienced adverse consequences due to climate change, up from 72% the previous year.
“Sam Mattis, a Team USA’s discus thrower, [said] “It is extremely noticeable how much hotter it's gotten,” adding that it makes training far more difficult and leads to dangerous conditions and subpar performances. Mattis also noted that for many Olympians whose sports are not financially lucrative, there is an even greater incentive to push through adversity, even if it could be deadly.”
-Vitas Carosella, Forbes
Despite increasing risks, sporting competitions continue during high summer at ill-advised times. This summer the T20 Cricket World Cup, Euro 2024, Copa America 2024, and the Paris Olympics are all taking place. The next two Summer Olympics are set to be held in the United States and Australia respectively, with reports of bids for the 2036 Games in the pipeline from South Korea, Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, joining confirmed bids from India, Turkey and Indonesia. These locations, and accelerating global temperatures, mean that without swift action and a rapid reduction in emissions, instances of extreme heat and danger to health are set to increase over the coming years.
Massive fossil fuel sponsorship deals also remain a major issue for the sporting world, as sporting associations and tournaments continue to partner with corporations pushing us further into the climate crisis, such as Saudi Aramco’s involvement in FIFA, the International Cricket Council, the Indian Premier League, the T20 World Cup, Formula 1, ATP and Esports; TotalEnergies’ sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup and African Cup of Nations; Shell’s eight-year deal with British Cycling and Team GB’s partnership with British Gas.
To protect athletes, fans and the Olympics itself, the report makes five recommendations:
Smart scheduling to avoid extreme heat
Better rehydration and cooling plans
Empowering athletes to speak out on climate change
Boosting collaboration between sporting bodies and athletes on climate awareness campaigns
Reassessing fossil fuel sponsorship in sport
Without these changes, plus major climate action around the world, sporting events will continue to see growing risks, not just for athletes but for spectators, broadcasters, volunteers, support staff and construction workers building new stadia.
To protect sport for all, more must be done.