Winter Olympics must tackle environmental impact before the snow runs out

Researchers warn climate change will leave few past Winter Olympic host cities reliably cold by the end of the century, and experts say clearer, enforceable sustainability standards are needed after the IOC's Olympic Games Impact programme was abandoned in 2017.

Climate change, rising costs and sponsorship choices are prompting renewed scrutiny of how the Winter Olympics are organised. Projections suggest that many former host cities will not remain reliably cold enough to stage the Games by the end of the century. The IOC discontinued its Olympic Games Impact (OGI) initiative in 2017, leaving organisers without a single, enforced sustainability framework. Researchers and some organisers are discussing options such as sharing events across locations, improving transparency, and changing ticketing and travel arrangements. Key facts: - By the end of the 21st century, only eight of the 21 cities that have hosted the Winter Olympics are projected to be reliably cold enough to host the Games. - Milano Cortina 2026's direct spending has surpassed $1.7bn, and an additional $3.5bn in public infrastructure investment has been reported. - The IOC’s OGI sustainability initiative was abandoned in 2017, and researchers say that leaves sustainability claims largely self-declared by organisers. - A report cited in coverage estimated some sponsors could add roughly 40% to Milano Cortina 2026's carbon footprint. Summary: These developments raise questions about the environmental and financial sustainability of future Winter Games and about how those responsibilities are governed. The IOC president has said the organisation is "having conversations" about climate matters, and researchers are building tools and data to measure event sustainability. Undetermined at this time.