Toronto: Global warming is posing a severe threat to the future of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, according to a recent research report. The study, led by Daniel Scott from the University of Waterloo in Canada, warns that if climate change continues at its current pace, suitable venues for these prestigious games will virtually disappear in the coming decades. In light of these growing concerns, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has temporarily suspended the selection process for the 2030 Winter Olympics venues.
The findings highlight a grim future for winter sports. Currently, there are 93 locations worldwide suitable for hosting the Winter Paralympics, but the report predicts that by 2080, only 16 of these will remain viable. Furthermore, without the use of advanced artificial snow-making systems, only seven locations globally are currently capable of hosting winter games. By 2050, this number is expected to shrink to four or fewer.
The research also points out that nearly half of the cities that have previously hosted the Winter Olympics will lack sufficient snow or the necessary freezing temperatures by the middle of this century. To mitigate some of these risks, the study suggests that holding both the Olympics and Paralympics during the month of February might be more beneficial for consistent weather conditions.
In addition to timing adjustments, the report emphasizes the need for environmental reform. Current artificial snow-making methods consume vast amounts of water and energy, leading researchers to call for a transition toward more eco-friendly and sustainable snow production technologies to preserve the spirit of the games without further harming the planet.
