IOC President Hopefuls Embrace Olympians’ Call For Climate Leadership

As the race for the next International Olympic Committee leader heats up, several candidates have embraced an open letter from 400 Olympians asking the incoming IOC president to make climate action their top priority.

Put “the care of our planet” as the one issue above all others, the Olympians urged. They represent 89 countries, 50 sports, and hold 245 medals, and stress that action is needed to preserve the Olympic Games as a symbol of unity, while also safeguarding the future of sports. The person to succeed Thomas Bach, who has held the role since 2013, will be elected at the 144th IOC Session on 18 to 21 March 2025 in Greece.

“We need leadership that champions real solutions—not just for the Games, but for the world our children will inherit,” shared Elana Meyers Taylor, five-time Olympic medallist in bobsleigh for Team USA, and flag bearer at the Beijing 2022 Games.

“As athletes we see firsthand how our environment impacts performance and well-being. Future generations deserve the chance to compete, train and thrive in a healthy world so it’s essential that the next IOC President prioritizes actions that protect that future for us all,” said Brooke Raboutou, silver medallist at Paris 2024 games and two-time Olympian for Team USA.

This is not the first time a large group of athletes has convened to urge environmental action. Previous open letters have focussed on IOC and Paris 2024 sponsors.

How IOC President Candidates Have Responded

Prince Feisal Al Hussein told Reuters that he welcomed the “powerful message from Olympians around the world.” He has previously advocated for more flexible scheduling of the Olympic Games to increase inclusivity and allow more countries, such as African nations, to host despite climate challenges.

Sebastian Coe will prioritize climate action. “If i’m successful next week that is very high in my in-tray,” he confirmed. He would also welcome meeting the athlete advocates to “share ideas and initiatives,” as reported by Reuters. Coe has previously warned that traditional summer Olympics could be unviable by 2040 due to rising temperatures, and stated that a “readjustment of the global calendar” will be needed.

Action must happen “with the boldness these Olympians demand,” Johan Eliasch said on social media site, LinkedIn. He went on to thank the athletes for raising the issue and said, “I completely agree that inaction is not an option. We must be bold on climate action and lead from the front.” Eliasch has a track record in environmental issues, having founded a charity dedicated to rainforest conservation in 2006.

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Morinari Watanabe, David Lappartient and Kirsty Coventry have not yet shared public responses to the letter. However all have spoken about environmental challenges and climate impacts ahead of the elections.

Kirsty Coventry shared her focus on championing sustainable practices in infrastructure, logistics, and operations. In a world of ever-growing sports tournaments, events and championships, “growth for growth’s sake is no longer tenable” she shares in her candidature document.

David Lappartient understands the need to adapt to environmental challenges, and would lead with innovation. “Sustainability is more important than ever, especially for the Winter Games. We know that some regions will no longer have enough snow to host events, so we have to find innovative solutions to ensure that the Games can be held in these places in a sustainable way,” he shared.

Samaranch Jr suggested that future Olympic Games could be held during the winter months, to allow countries with extreme summer temperatures to host. “It is not them that will have to change their climate, it will be us that will have to change whatever is necessary to be truly universal,” he noted.

Morinari Watanabe has suggested a multi-city host model for the Games across five continents at the same time, to reduce the environmental burden on single host cities. This would be a radical shift from the existing model, and one that has been discounted previously.

All Eyes On The New IOC President

The open letter from Olympians highlights the successful candidate’s “precious opportunity to build on the IOC’s sustainability leadership.” The IOC states it is committed to reducing direct and indirect emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, and compensating for more than 100 per cent of residual emissions through the Olympic Forest project. The organisation has also pledged to use its influence to encourage stakeholders and fans to take climate action.

The next IOC president will lead the Olympic movement through a critical era, overseeing Milan-Cortina 2026, LA28, French Alps 2030, and Brisbane 2032, each with significant environmental stakes. With climate challenges intensifying, the future of the Olympic Games, and the athletes who inspire millions who watch them, will depend on bold, decisive leadership. The incoming leader can ensure the Games not only endure, but lead the way in global climate responsibility.