By 2100, Only One City Worldwide Will Be Able to Host the Winter Olympics Again
Discover how climate change threatens the future of Winter Olympic Games, leaving only Sapporo, Japan, as a viable host city by 2100.
Most former Winter Olympic host cities will become too warm and lack sufficient natural snowfall to hold the games again.
Due to climate change, average temperatures in cities that previously hosted the Winter Olympics have been steadily rising. If this trend continues, by the year 2100, only Sapporo, Japan, will remain suitable for hosting winter sports competitions, according to a team of researchers from Canada, the United States, and Austria.
Global warming is primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Although emission levels are gradually decreasing, current reductions are insufficient to prevent a climate crisis.
The scientists analyzed climate data from Olympic host cities dating back to 1920. During February—the typical month for the games—average temperatures were 0.4°C from 1920 to 1950, increased to 3.1°C between 1960 and 1990, and have risen sharply to 6.3°C in the 21st century.
These warming conditions make it extremely challenging to hold events like biathlon, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and alpine skiing. Natural snowfall is scarce at above-freezing temperatures, and artificial snow melts quickly.
The researchers also highlighted that athlete injuries during the last three Winter Olympics have increased by 55%, partly due to poor snow quality.
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