Could climate change affect scheduling of future Olympic Games? IOC President Thomas Bach says yes
From the drenched opening ceremony to the scorching heat that has affected various events, Paris 2024 has seemingly felt the effects of global warming.
The Paris 2024 Olympics have given us plenty of talking points, many of which have not been related to sport. Now, while it’s not uncommon for the world’s biggest sporting event to incur varying political views, one could argue that with the scope and speed of social media today, those views have been felt more intensely. Yet, there’s one position that hasn’t been discussed though it’s been an ever-present factor: the weather. On the other hand, it may just be that’s all about to change.
Thomas Bach suggests climate change could affect future Olympic Games
There were some sobering comments from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on Friday. Speaking in a press conference, Bach alluded to the idea that the effects of anthropogenic climate change could affect the scheduling of future Games. Bach even went as far as to suggest that moving the Olympics from the traditional summer months was a potential option going forward.
“If the climate change is continuing in a way that the experts are forecasting it then it will be very difficult to organize Olympic Games in summer, in August.” Bach said. It’s worth noting that Bach’s comments come on the back of growing speculation surrounding a possible bid for the Olympics from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, both nations with significantly high temperatures given their geographic locations. That said, Bach himself denied that there was any connection.
“We have to sit together, and regardless of where the Games are taking place to see whether the calendar has to be adapted, adjusted to climate change and global warming and the same is already true for the Winter Games,” said the IOC’s President.
For the moment, we will next turn our attention to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 which are set to be staged in July, while the 2032 Games in Brisbane will be held in July and August, months which actually represent the winter period for the Southern Hemisphere of the globe.