World Athletics has revealed 85 per cent of athletes who took part in a survey believe the sport has been negatively impacted by climate change, which is up from 72 per cent in 2022.
The world governing body of athletics released the findings of its third annual survey on environmental and social issues on Wednesday night (AEDT), with 373 athletes having their say on the global crisis.
The revelation of increasing climate change fear comes nine months after soaring temperatures took a frightening toll on runners at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, including Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey and Australia’s Leanne Pompeani.
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“Our athletes continue to speak clearly about the impacts that the climate crisis is having on their lives and on their sport,” said World Athletics president Sebastian Coe.
“Their concern is loud and clear. It’s important for us to continue to act on those concerns and use the influence we have to help drive meaningful change.”
The 44th edition of the World Cross Country Championships, held in mid-February, was hit by temperatures of 36 degrees, as well as fierce thunder and lightning.
Gidey looked certain to be cruising to victory in the women’s senior race but collapsed with about 30 metres remaining in the 10km event. She was helped back to her feet, was overtaken and staggered over the finish line, before being disqualified because she had been assisted.
The scorching weather claimed another victim when Pompeani, placed 17th, collapsed with about 20 metres remaining. The reigning Australian 10,000m women’s champion stumbled back to her feet, crossed the finish line and was carted to the medical tent in a wheelchair. She told Wide World of Sports that she recorded a core body temperature of 41.7 degrees.
Marathon runners at August’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest battled temperatures of nearly 30 degrees, as well as high humidity.
In early November, scientists said 2023 was poised to become the hottest year on record.
The UN then forecast that the world could be facing a temperature rise of 2.5-2.9 degrees this century.
While 373 athletes took part in World Athletics’ 2023 survey, 737 participated in 2022.