As the race for the next International Olympic Committee president heats up, climate change and sustainability have emerged as defining issues.

Just days before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) elects a new president in Greece more than 400 athletes on Friday called on the future leader of the body to strengthen its action for the environment.

IOC presidential candidate Sebastian Coe says the impact of climate change on the global sports calendar will be a priority issue if he wins the election next week.

More than 400 Olympic athletes have urged the next president of the International Olympic Committee to prioritise tackling climate change, describing it as a “current and growing harm to the sports we love”.

The signatories to an open letter calling for IOC action on climate change range from Australia's most decorated Olympian, swimmer Emma McKeon, to Cyrille Tchatchet II, a weightlifter who represented the refugee team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Around 350 Olympians from 85 countries, including India's Saina Nehwal and PR Sreejesh, have written a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidential candidates, urging them to make

More than 350 Olympians, including 57 Olympic champions, call on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prioritize environmental sustainability. They emphasize climate change's immediate impact on sports and urge the IOC to reduce carbon emissions and promote green initiatives in Host Cities.