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Image source, Getty ImagesByEmma SmithBBC Sport journalist at Main Press Centre, MilanPublished International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry says it must "be better" on climate change after receiving a petition signed by more than 21,000 people who want to stop fossil fuel companies from sponsoring winter sports.
Kirsty Coventry is the new head of the International Olympic Committee, often called the IOC. She has said that her group must do much more to help fix the climate crisis. This big announcement comes after a group of people gave the IOC leaders a formal petition. More than 21,000 people signed this important document. The main group driving this request are athletes who want winter sports games to stop taking money from oil and gas companies. The petition shows a serious worry among sports leaders around the world. They are concerned about the damage to the environment caused by the Olympics. They also worry about how much the games rely on fossil fuels to keep running.
When the BBC asked if she was disappointed that the Games get support from polluting companies, Coventry gave a careful answer. She said it is very good that athletes have a voice. "It's really nice that athletes have a voice," she said. She confirmed that her team met with the people who signed the petition earlier in the day. "The petitioners met with our team today, and we are having conversations in order to be better, and for our stakeholders to be better. But that takes time," she explained. This shows that while the IOC knows about the problem, they believe changing things will take a long time.
Christophe Dubi, the IOC executive director for the Olympic Games, also spoke about this issue. He said the organization takes these environmental concerns very seriously. "We make a point to receive those petitions, and we have to recognize that climate is a challenge for all of us," Dubi stated. He added, "What we have to do as an organization is to be at the forefront of sustainability, and our principles are very clear." This response shows that the IOC knows there is a conflict. They believe that making real changes is a slow process.
One major way the IOC wants to make the Olympics greener is by spreading events over a larger area. The goal is to use buildings that already exist instead of building new stadiums. Kirsty Coventry called the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games an "acid test." She said this event will show if this model can work for the future. The Games are organized into three different hubs in northern Italy: Milan, Cortina, and Livigno. This plan is designed to reduce the carbon footprint from building huge new structures. In practice, this means very few new buildings are being made. There are only two new sporting facilities for the whole event: the Santagiulia ice hockey arena in Milan and the Cortina Sliding Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo. This focus on using old buildings is meant to lower costs and reduce waste.
However, managing a "spread out" games has created new problems for everyone. Organizers in Brisbane are planning for the 2032 Summer Olympics. They have already said they expect to spend more than their original budget of $4.9 billion. They warn that the complex plan used in Milan could drive costs up significantly. Coventry admitted that this spread-out model is a learning experience for everyone. "We are really experiencing a spread out Games here for the first time - we are going to learn a lot," she explained. The decision to spread the events was made mainly for sustainability reasons. The IOC wanted to avoid building many new venues.
This strategy has brought new problems for athletes and broadcasters. Moving venues far apart makes travel difficult for athletes and officials. They must move between distant locations every day. It also creates challenges for media teams covering events across a wide area. "What is really cool is that you get to see iconic venues in beautiful places - but now we have to weigh this up," Coventry said. She noted the tension between wanting green games and the risk of creating hard logistics. The balance is delicate. The IOC must make sure the environmental benefits do not create travel problems that increase emissions or lower the quality of the event. The Milan-Cortina Games will be a crucial case study. It will show how future Olympics can balance environmental care with good organization.
While official events began on Wednesday with curling, the 2026 Winter Olympics will open with a big ceremony on Friday. This ceremony is expected to be a major cultural event. It will celebrate the host nations and athletes from around the world. However, the event also faces political tensions. Coventry expressed hope that all nations would be treated with respect by fans. This comes after criticism from Italian authorities regarding the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Milan.
Coventry is focused on keeping the spirit of the Games positive. "I hope the opening ceremony is seen by everyone as a chance to be respectful," she stated. She recalled her visit to the Olympic village. She described it as the best reminder of how the Games should be. The village is a place where athletes from all backgrounds live and compete together. "For me, when we went to the Olympic village that is the best reminder of how the Games should be," she said. She believes the opening ceremony can set a tone of unity and respect. The hope is that the world will see this event as a unifying force. As the opening approaches, the IOC remains committed to sustainability and respect. They must navigate complex environmental and political challenges. The coming days will reveal if they can balance these demands. They want to deliver a memorable and successful Olympic Games. The world is watching to see if they can succeed.