With the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics fast approaching, climate change has once again taken center stage in the global sporting arena. A recent, comprehensive scientific study warns that hosting this global event will become "virtually impossible" in the coming decades if global warming continues to rise. The study, recently published, highlights an existential crisis threatening one of the most prestigious sporting competitions in history.
Shocking figures threaten the global sports landscape
A study funded by the International Olympic Committee has revealed deeply troubling data about the future of cities capable of hosting the Games. Of the 93 sites worldwide that currently possess the necessary infrastructure to host the Winter Olympics, climate projections indicate that only 52 will remain "climate-compliant" by the 2050s. The situation worsens by the 2080s, with the number expected to drop to just 46 sites under a moderate carbon emissions scenario.
The researchers based their assessment on two key criteria to ensure the safety of the competitions: the likelihood of sub-zero temperatures to ensure snow cohesion, and the availability of a natural snow layer of at least 30 cm, even assuming the use of advanced artificial snow technologies.
From Chamonix 1924 to Beijing 2022: A Changing Historical Context
To understand the scale of the crisis, one must consider the historical context of the Winter Olympics. Since the first Games in Chamonix, France, in 1924, nature has been the primary provider of ski slopes. However, recent decades have witnessed a radical shift; the Beijing 2022 Games were forced to rely almost entirely on artificial snow, a worrying indicator of the deterioration of natural climatic conditions. Data confirms that every city that has hosted the Games since 1950 has experienced a significant rise in temperatures.
For example, the Italian city of Cortina, which hosted the Games in 1956 and is preparing to host them again in 2026, has seen an increase in average temperatures of 3.6 degrees Celsius, with freezing days decreasing by 20%, putting enormous pressure on the organizers.
Artificial snow: A costly solution and health risks
Although technology offers alternative solutions through "artificial snow," experts warn that this solution is not ideal. Environmentally, the process of making snow consumes enormous quantities of water and energy, exacerbating environmental problems in areas already suffering from mountain drought. From a sporting perspective, Marcin Mitchell, Vice President of the World Wildlife Fund, confirmed that artificial snow produces a "harder" surface, increasing skiing speed and raising the likelihood of serious injuries and horrific falls for skiers compared to natural snow.
Effects that extend beyond the boundaries of sports
The repercussions of this crisis extend far beyond the cancellation of competitions, encompassing a wide-ranging economic and tourism impact. Regions whose economies depend on ski tourism, such as the French Alps and the US state of Utah, face a real threat. The Alps have lost a third of their annual snowfall over the past century, while Utah has recorded very little snow this season. This decline threatens the loss of thousands of jobs linked to the winter tourism sector.
As for the Winter Paralympics, which are usually held in March, the situation is even more dire, with the number of suitable venues expected to drop to just 22 by the middle of the century, potentially requiring a radical change in the global sports calendar, such as bringing forward the dates of tournaments or confining them to very narrow geographical areas with exceptionally cold climates.
