Athletes Expose 2026 Winter Olympics Sponsors for Environmental Contradictions

The upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy, face intense scrutiny over its environmental impact. A coalition of athletes and scientists is urging the Games to sever ties with three major sponsors that are significant contributors to pollution.

A March Towards Sustainability

Set amidst the stunning Dolomites, the 2026 Winter Olympics is under growing pressure to address its carbon footprint. Research indicates that the Games will produce approximately 930,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Alarmingly, the sponsorship from Eni, Stellantis, and ITA Airways is predicted to create an additional 1.3 million tonnes, amplifying the total emissions almost two and a half times.

Environmental Consequences

The report titled “Olympics Torched,” produced by Scientists for Global Responsibility and the New Weather Institute, highlights crucial statistics:

• Total emissions from the Games: 930,000 tonnes
• Additional emissions from sponsors: 1.3 million tonnes
• Total estimated loss of snow cover: 5.5 square kilometers
• Equivalent to over 3,000 Olympic-sized ice hockey rinks

This stark data illustrates the potential environmental devastation linked to the Winter Olympics. In recent years, Italy has lost 265 ski resorts due to rising temperatures. Moreover, regions like the Alps are experiencing the impacts of climate change more acutely than lowland areas.

Athletes Raise Concerns

Prominent athletes are voicing their concerns. Björn Sandström, a Swedish cross-country skier, emphasizes the Games’ role in shaping global perceptions. “When the signal is driven by fossil-fuel sponsorship, it directly contradicts climate science,” he states. This contradiction threatens the very future of winter sports.

Ukalew Slettermark, a Greenlandic biathlete and former World Junior Champion, echoes similar sentiments. She condemns the partnership with fossil fuel companies, pointing out that their association undermines the legitimacy of winter sports in the fight against climate change.

The Call for Change

The report outlines specific recommendations for the upcoming Olympics:

• End sponsorship agreements with high-carbon corporations.
• Avoid constructing new venues and infrastructure.
• Reduce the number of spectators traveling by air.

This proactive approach aims to minimize the Games’ carbon footprint while advocating for sustainability in winter sports.

As the Games draw nearer, the International Olympic Committee has been approached for a response to these pressing concerns. The collective voice from athletes and scientists demonstrates a growing commitment to addressing climate change ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.