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Olympic athletes make climate pleas to IOC Presidential candidates

More than 400 Olympians representing nearly 90 nations around the globe have signed a petition urging the winner of the International Olympic Committee's presidential election next week to make climate change their number one priority.

Signatories of an open letter calling on the IOC to act on climate change include Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon and Cyrille Tchatchet II - a weightlifter, who represented the refugee squad at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

The letter stated: "To the incoming president, we ask that during the next years and throughout your presidency you place one issue above all else: the care of the planet."

"Rising temperatures are disrupting competition schedules and endangering iconic venues, as well as the health of fans and athletes.

Winter Games are getting harder to organize as snow and ice conditions decrease each year.

Seven candidates will compete to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president at a ballot held by IOC members in Costa Navarino (Greece) on 20 March.

The Olympians demanded a meeting with the winning candidate immediately after the elections to discuss environmental issues, and stated that the IOC should strengthen its existing commitments regarding the reduction of carbon emissions.

The IOC should also advocate "broader environmental actions", promote sustainable practices in cities hosting the Olympics and "set standards" for sponsorship deals with polluting companies.

Hannah Mills, a British Olympian, was among the British Olympians to initiate the letter. She said that the recent wildfires, which occurred in Los Angeles, where the Summer Olympics of 2028 will be held, showed how climate change is a threat.

The IOC Sustainability Ambassador, a two-time Olympic champion and former Olympic athlete, said: "I don't think we've seen so many athletes around the world speaking with one voice."

The terrible LA wildfires could not have been more clear: it is time to chart a course towards a bright, safe future.

"The Olympics have held and fulfilled so many dreams over its history, but I cannot dream of a bigger future than one in which my kids can thrive."

IOC's "reduce compensate influence" commitment to climate action includes a reduction of 50% in carbon emissions until 2030. This will be offset by compensating for more than 100% residual emissions. It also encourages fans and stakeholders to take action against climate change.

The favourites for Bach's successor are World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe and IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch, as well as Kirsty Coventry who is Zimbabwean Sports Minister.

The list includes David Lappartient as the head of the International Cycling Federation, Prince Feisal al Hussein from Jordan, Morinari Watanabe, the head of the International Gymnastics Federation and Johan Eliasch who is the International Ski Federation's president.

Prince Feisal welcomed the "powerful messages" from Olympians all over the world, while Coe, a vocal advocate of the climate change impact on athletics and athlete advocacy, said that he was delighted to meet with the athletes to "share ideas, initiatives, and experiences". (Reporting and editing by Peter Rutherford, Iain Axon, London)

(source: Reuters)