In addition to tennis and cycling, sports like football, marathons, and skiing are also feeling the impact of rising global temperatures. Extreme weather conditions are forcing organizers to rethink event schedules, implement new safety measures, and even relocate events to ensure athlete safety.
Football, one of the world’s most popular sports, has already seen significant disruptions due to heat. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, matches were held in cities with temperatures exceeding 30°C, leading to player exhaustion, dehydration, and decreased performance. Teams like England, accustomed to cooler climates, struggled to adapt to the extreme conditions, resulting in slower play and increased injuries. The introduction of water breaks and other cooling measures helped, but as global temperatures continue to rise, these may become insufficient.
Marathon running, especially in regions with high heat and humidity, has also been heavily impacted. The 2019 World Athletics Championships in Qatar saw the women’s marathon start at midnight to avoid the daytime heat. However, even at night, runners faced temperatures above 32°C, leading to slower race times and increased health risks, including dehydration and heatstroke. As climate change continues to push temperatures higher, marathon organizers may need to consider even more radical changes, such as relocating events or altering race distances to protect runners.
Skiing, surprisingly, is another sport at risk due to rising temperatures. In recent years, many ski resorts in Europe and North America have experienced record low snowfall, forcing resorts to rely on artificial snow. Warmer winters mean shorter ski seasons, threatening not only competitions but also the tourism economies that depend on them. By 2100, it’s projected that one in eight ski resorts may be completely snowless. As the climate warms, ski resorts and competition organizers will need to innovate, potentially focusing on alternative sports or expanding summer activities to stay financially viable.
As global temperatures rise, no sport remains untouched by the impacts of climate change. From football fields to marathon routes and ski slopes, the way athletes compete is being reshaped by extreme weather conditions. More than just implementing short-term fixes, sports organizations must now invest in long-term solutions, whether that means rethinking event scheduling, developing new safety protocols, or even relocating iconic competitions. The future of many sports will depend on their ability to adapt, innovate, and safeguard both athletes and the fan experience in an increasingly unpredictable climate.