![Argentina's forward #22 Lautaro Martinez shoots to score during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Peru at the La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on November 19, 2024. [Image used for representation purposes]](http://media.newindianexpress.com/newindianexpress%2F2024-11-20%2Flernt6zj%2FLautaro-Martinez.jpg?rect=0%2C0%2C1200%2C675&w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The warming planet endangers us all—but sportspersons can be more exposed to its effects. Climate change has been affecting sporting events across climatic zones. What has sent alarm bells ringing in the sporting fraternity is a recent paper on the heat stress expected on footballers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in three North American nations that straddle multiple climates and time zones. The study says that at 10 out of the 16 venues, footballers will be exposed to extreme heat stress because of the conditions expected in June-July, the period in which the world’s most popular sporting event will be played.
Out of the 10, three venues will experience high temperatures and adverse playing conditions. The study projects that the players will face “unacceptable thermal stress” at Arlington, Houston (both US) and Monterrey (Mexico). Though the three stadiums have retractable roofs with air-conditioning systems, adapting to the changes will be very challenging. One of the researchers even advised players not to drastically change the location and type of climate they stay in so that it helps them partially adapt to the conditions.
The impact of climate change is not new in sports. A 2022 study indicated that more than half the Winter Olympics venues would soon not be able to host the Games because of lack of snow. At three of India’s elite winter sports venues—Gulmarg in Kashmir, Solang Valley in Himachal Pradesh and Auli in Uttarakhand—the skiing season started unusually late last season. When a heat wave rolled through the 2024 Paris Olympics, schedules and venues for marathons had to be altered keeping in mind the ambient heat. Other sports like tennis, too, have been impacted.
The International Olympic Committee and national sports federations are keenly studying the impact of such changes. The IOC had commissioned a study to see how the Olympics could be shifted to the cooler autumn season and which sports can be shifted indoors. Changing the Olympics calendar is not easy, as all sporting schedules will be affected. So the change has to be gradual. Sports also have a unique way of spreading awareness. The UN has started an initiative to help achieve carbon neutrality, Sports for Climate Action. Now is the time to change.