Forward of IOC election, 350 Olympians urge candidates to make local weather motion prime precedence

Round 350 Olympians from 85 nations, together with India’s Saina Nehwal and PR Sreejesh, have written a letter to the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) presidential candidates, urging them to make local weather motion their prime precedence. As IOC members collect in Costa Navarino, Greece, to vote on the seven candidates subsequent week (March 18-21), the Olympians known as for stronger commitments from the IOC to chop carbon emissions, promote sustainability in host cities, set clear tips on polluting sponsors and use its platform to advocate for local weather motion.

Local weather impacts are “not a distant risk, however a present and rising hurt to the sports activities we love and to the nations that make up our Olympic household”, the letter mentioned.

The signatories embrace 57 Olympic champions and over 100 Olympic flag bearers. They characterize a number of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, together with Argentina, Aruba, the Bahamas, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Prepare dinner Islands, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, India, Kenya, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Sierra Leone and Zambia.

Recognizing that excessive climate occasions are already disrupting the Summer season and Winter Olympics and affecting athlete efficiency and security, the letter urges decisive motion to make sure the video games stay accessible and secure for future generations.

Earlier this 12 months, huge wildfires burned massive areas of Los Angeles, the host metropolis of the 2028 Olympic Video games. The fires killed about 30 individuals, destroyed hundreds of buildings, and compelled tens of hundreds to flee their properties.

The signatories have additionally requested an early assembly with the incoming IOC president to debate how the Olympic motion can strengthen its management in tackling the local weather disaster. Nehwal, the primary Indian badminton participant to win an Olympic medal, mentioned, “As athletes, we push ourselves to be the most effective, however we additionally must push for a greater, more healthy planet. The solidarity amongst athletes this letter reveals is wonderful and makes clear that the subsequent IOC President should prioritize sustainability to guard the environments the place we practice, compete and reside.”

Olympic champion sailor and IOC Sustainability Ambassador Hannah Mills OBE mentioned, “I’m not certain we’ve got ever seen so many athletes from around the globe converse with one voice. The horrible LA wildfires could not have been clearer: the time is now to set a course for a secure, vibrant future. As a sailor and a mum, this hits near house. The Olympics has held and fulfilled the goals of so many over its historical past. However I can’t have any greater dream than a future during which my youngsters can thrive.”