Athletes are increasingly recognizing the profound impact of climate change on their sports and personal health, leading many to speak out about the challenges they face. Professional triathlete Pragnya Mohan, who has spent nearly a decade competing at the highest levels, has seen her sport drastically altered by the rising temperatures in her native India. Once able to train in the country, she now has to escape the blistering summer heat, often seeking cooler conditions in the United Kingdom. But even as she seeks refuge, Mohan worries about a day when a warming world could make her sport untenable. As she shared at the United Nations climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, the future of triathlons could be jeopardized if climate change continues to go unchecked.
Mohan’s concerns are not isolated. Athletes across the globe are increasingly aware of how climate change is threatening their ability to compete, train, and perform. In a recent discussion, Mohan pointed to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where some triathlon events had to be delayed due to heavy rainfall. This weather event, which contributed to dangerously high bacteria levels in the Seine River, is an example of how the climate crisis is already having a direct effect on sporting events. The warming atmosphere holds more water, leading to increased precipitation, flooding, and changes in water quality. For athletes who rely on certain conditions for their sport, this represents a serious threat to the future of their careers.
Mohan’s experience is shared by many. In 2021, American discus thrower Sam Mattis competed in the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon, where temperatures soared to 44°C (111°F). The extreme heat caused several spectators, officials, and athletes to pass out, underscoring how rising temperatures are not only dangerous for those competing but also for fans and the infrastructure that supports sports. Mattis, who has witnessed firsthand the toll that climate change is taking on athletics, spoke at the climate summit about the growing risks faced by athletes. He emphasized the urgent need for action to prevent such conditions from becoming commonplace.
Similarly, New Zealand soccer player Katie Rood has had her own share of struggles with the changing climate. Preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, she trained in heat chambers to simulate the high temperatures and humidity she expected to face in Japan. But even with this preparation, she and her teammates found themselves having to cut warmups short during extreme heat. Rood’s experience is yet another example of how climate change is forcing athletes to adapt in increasingly uncomfortable and dangerous ways.
These stories illustrate how climate change is no longer just an abstract concern—it is an immediate threat to the health and performance of athletes. Whether it’s excessive heat, flooding, or changing conditions in outdoor environments, athletes are feeling the effects of a warming planet firsthand. For those like Mohan, Mattis, and Rood, it is not just about competing but also about preserving the future of their sports. If the climate crisis continues to escalate without meaningful action, sports like triathlon could face extinction, as Mohan warned.
The impact of climate change on sports is a growing issue, and more athletes are speaking up to raise awareness. With billions of fans worldwide, they have a powerful platform to influence change. These athletes are not only advocating for better conditions for themselves but for the future of sports and the safety of their fans. Their voices are part of a larger movement urging governments, sports organizations, and individuals to take urgent action on climate change.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the challenge faced by athletes is becoming more complex. Training regimens, competition schedules, and even the safety of fans are all under threat from extreme weather events and changing environmental conditions. It is clear that urgent steps need to be taken to address the issues at hand. The time to act is now, or we risk losing not only the ability to compete but also the sports that bring people together from all corners of the globe.
The consequences of climate change extend beyond the immediate impact on training and competition; it also affects the infrastructure that supports sports. From the condition of playing fields and stadiums to the travel logistics involved in international events, rising temperatures and extreme weather events are putting additional pressure on an already strained system. In some parts of the world, sporting venues are facing the threat of frequent flooding or heatwaves that make them unsafe for athletes and spectators alike. This means more costs for maintaining or rebuilding infrastructure and more planning for organizations, but the toll on athletes is even greater as they adapt to these new challenges.
In addition to extreme weather conditions, changes in seasons and the unpredictability of the climate are making it increasingly difficult for athletes to plan their careers. For example, extreme heat waves and unpredictable rainfall can disrupt outdoor training sessions, leaving athletes with less time to perfect their skills. For those involved in endurance sports such as running, cycling, and triathlon, these disruptions can significantly impact their performance, potentially costing them valuable training time and even their competitive edge. Athletes now face the prospect of having to constantly adjust their schedules to accommodate for ever-changing environmental conditions, a situation that demands both physical and mental resilience.
The health risks posed by climate change to athletes also extend to long-term concerns. For example, heat stress and dehydration are more common during extreme temperatures, leading to greater risk of injury or illness. For athletes who already push their bodies to the limit, these added pressures can make it harder to maintain peak performance. Moreover, increased exposure to extreme temperatures over time may result in chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory issues, further jeopardizing an athlete’s career and well-being. As athletes begin to grapple with the potential health impacts of climate change, the demand for research into how to best protect them is growing.
The global sporting community is taking steps to address these concerns, with more conversations emerging around the need for sustainability and climate action. Athletes are urging sports organizations, governments, and corporations to recognize their role in addressing the climate crisis, from reducing carbon footprints to implementing more environmentally friendly practices in event planning. These conversations are crucial as they spark awareness and action across the sports industry, ensuring that climate change does not erase the future of sports as we know them.
As the UN climate summit in Baku highlighted, the voices of athletes are essential in the fight against climate change. The credibility and visibility of athletes, especially those at the top of their fields, can influence public opinion and catalyze change. By speaking out, they raise awareness not only about the dangers they face but also about the broader impact that climate change has on society at large. Athletes are uniquely positioned to highlight the importance of sustainable practices, and many have already begun to advocate for systemic changes that prioritize the environment and the future of their sports.
The time to act is undeniably urgent. Athletes are speaking out about the realities they face, and their voices are being heard by an ever-growing audience. For the future of sports and the health of athletes, addressing climate change is not just a matter of preservation—it’s a matter of survival. Whether it’s through better training conditions, healthier environments, or sustainable practices, there is a collective responsibility to ensure that future generations of athletes can continue to thrive. The climate crisis affects us all, but with concerted effort and shared determination, we can work together to mitigate its effects on the world of sports.