As preparations accelerate for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Olympic athletes from around the world are taking a stronger public stand on climate action. Through awards, grassroots initiatives, and pressure on sporting institutions, athletes are drawing attention to the growing environmental risks threatening winter sports and global communities alike.
Athletes Recognized for Climate Leadership
Environmental advocacy among elite athletes received global attention earlier this month when Kenyan rugby player Kevin Wekesa was awarded the International Olympic Committee Climate Action Award for 2025. The honor was presented by Prince Albert II of Monaco during a ceremony in Milan on February 4, 2026.
New Zealand athlete Hugo Innis was also recognized for his leadership in founding the High Impact Athletes movement. The initiative channels athlete-backed donations toward charities addressing climate change, public health, and social welfare. These awards reflect a broader shift as athletes increasingly use their influence beyond competition.
Warming Winters Threaten Winter Sports
Concerns over climate change are especially acute for winter athletes. Recent holiday seasons in the Italian Alps recorded unusually high temperatures, highlighting a long-term warming trend. Data shows that February temperatures in Cortina d’Ampezzo have risen by approximately six degrees Fahrenheit since the mid-20th century.
According to climate analysis, fewer than 60 percent of traditional Winter Olympic host locations are expected to have reliable snow conditions by the 2050s. Athletes warn that without immediate climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, the long-term future of the Winter Games could be at risk.
Grassroots Sustainability Initiatives Led by Athletes
Across continents, Olympians are launching practical climate solutions. Indian triathlete Pragnya Mohan founded the Ek Beti, Ek Cycle initiative, which refurbishes bicycles and distributes them to girls in rural areas. The program supports education access while promoting sustainable transportation.
In Italy, hockey player Jacquie Pierri has applied her engineering expertise to develop low-emission ice rink cooling systems designed to reduce the use of high-impact greenhouse gases. Meanwhile, British Olympic rower Imogen Grant established the Clean Water Alliance to address pollution in UK waterways. Her initiative promotes composting, recycling, and water conservation at training facilities.
Growing Pressure on Olympic Sponsors
Some athletes are now challenging the financial relationships behind global sporting events. Freestyle skier Alex Beeler has joined fellow athletes in petitioning the International Olympic Committee to end partnerships with fossil fuel companies, including Italian energy firm Eni, a premier sponsor of the 2026 Games.
The petition has yet to receive a formal response from the IOC or Eni. Separately, Bulgarian volleyball athlete Lina Taylor has expanded climate education efforts by coaching more than 1,000 individuals across 30 countries through her nonprofit organization, which focuses on science-backed climate solutions.
Using Sport as a Platform for Awareness
American cross-country skier Jessie Diggins has used major competitions to highlight environmental challenges. At the 2025 World Championships, she wore a speedsuit inspired by melting glaciers to spark conversation around climate impacts on winter landscapes. Diggins serves on the board of Protect Our Winters and continues to advocate for sustainable sports infrastructure.
Kevin Wekesa’s Play Green initiative in Kenya further demonstrates the reach of athlete-led action. The program plants trees, replaces single-use plastics in rugby programs, and delivers climate education in dozens of schools. Plans are underway to expand the model internationally.
Athletes say adapting sports to climate realities is no longer optional. As Diggins notes, protecting the environment is essential not only for competition but for long-term human endurance and well-being.
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