Elite sports suffer consequences from climate change

The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly evident in elite sports. For example, it happened at the Cricket World Cup in New Delhi, the high pollution created difficulties for both athletes and fans.

Climate change affected elite sports

The climate affects athletes and the public in elite sports

In Delhi the air is unbreathable. Its quality index (AQI) reaches a level between bad and serious. So much so that amateur athletes are not recommended to carry out outdoor activities.

India faces a real problem, as it bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. However, the Cricket World Cup did not leave a good image. Furthermore, you only have to walk the streets of the city to see the high pollution that affects daily life.

During high-performance sporting events, athletes inhale harmful particles. These tiny particles settle in the lungs, persisting there for long periods.

The accumulation of these microparticles has reached the figure of 184 micrograms per cubic meter, twelve times exceeding the limit recommended by the World Health Organization.

Climate change and environmental factors are not only harmful to India. The extreme heat affects international and local competitions and tournaments, harming both athletes and spectators. As in the case of the Australian Tennis Open, where the extreme heat wreaked havoc on individual performances and many spectators became decompensated or were overwhelmed by the high temperatures.

Outdoor competitions are the most affected

Outdoor sports are the most affected by the change in climate. In soccer there are interruptions in the game so that players can hydrate due to high temperatures.

In Formula 1, intense droughts condition the development of races. In addition to the fact that extreme heat wears out tires more, it overheats engines and requires absolute concentration from the driver.

The so-called winter sports are also seriously affected.

elite sports

Ski and snowboard competitions are becoming more expensive. Global warming makes tracks last less and less time and costs much more to maintain. Some think that if the climate continues this trend, these sports will disappear, since there will be no snow on the slopes.

Experts indicate that changes must be made, both in sport and in caring for the planet. However, one of the scheduled events is the 2030 World Cup, which will take place on three continents. The strong criticism on the subject is related to the number of people who will travel around the world to follow the 105 scheduled matches.

The proposal could have great commercial potential; However, the increase in air, sea and land transportation activity could result in greater emissions of pollutants. Added to this is the diversity of weather conditions that athletes would have to face, which could negatively affect their performance.

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