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Only 16 Paralympic Sites Viable by 2080, Study Warns

1/22/2026

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Scott's Paralympic Study

A Canadian study led by Daniel Scott of the University of Waterloo finds only 16 of 93 Paralympic locations will be viable by 2080 under warming trends.
The study says unifying the Games in February and moving dates earlier could increase reliable locations.
Snowmaking remains essential for future events, and Co-author Madeleine Orr urges sustainable solutions to keep conditions reliable as many past hosts may be unavailable by mid-century.

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Olympics Face Climate Challenges

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy face climate-related challenges due to reliance on artificial snow.
Cortina d'Ampezzo has seen a 20% decline in freezing days since 1956.
A study finds only 56% of potential host locations may meet climate reliability thresholds by the 2050s.
Athletes are concerned, with 94% fearing climate impacts on their sport.
The International Olympic Committee aims for climate-positive Games by 2030.

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Scott's Paralympic Study

A Canadian study led by Daniel Scott of the University of Waterloo finds only 16 of 93 Paralympic locations will be viable by 2080 under warming trends.
The study says unifying the Games in February and moving dates earlier could increase reliable locations.
Snowmaking remains essential for future events, and Co-author Madeleine Orr urges sustainable solutions to keep conditions reliable as many past hosts may be unavailable by mid-century.

1 / 2