10 Times Climate Change Influenced Sporting Events

Climate change has reached a point where it’s actively influencing sports. From dangerous playing conditions to outright postponements, here are ten times climate change influenced sporting events around the world.

1 – 2014 Australian Open – Extreme Heat

The 2014 Australian Open witnessed temperatures reach 43 degrees Celsius in Melbourne. The extreme heat took a severe toll, with Canadian player Frank Dancevic collapsing mid-match and later describing the conditions as “inhumane.” Ball kids were also treated for heatstroke and exhaustion, leading to matches being paused – though many argued the event wasn’t paused quick enough. Despite this, organisers insisted that play continued due to safe humidity levels, with Roger Federer agreeing with this decision, pointing out that adequate training should be enough to cope with the heat.

2 – 2017 Delhi Test Match – Air Pollution

During the third Test between India and Sri Lanka in 2017, dangerous air quality disrupted the game, forcing some players to wear masks during play. The Air Quality Index passed 400, classified as “severe”, causing multiple players to struggle to breath, or even vomit. The match was paused on multiple occasions as doctors raised questions about player safety in extreme pollution. Delhi's smog, primarily caused by vehicle emissions and droughts, served as a wake-up call for cricket, emphasising the need to consider air quality when hosting events in the future.

3 – 2016 Olympics – Water Pollution

Sailing events at the 2016 Rio Olympics were severely impacted by polluted waters. Guanabara Bay was contaminated with debris and raw sewage, while changing water temperatures only increased bacterial growth. Competitors were told to avoid swallowing water or exposing cuts and lacerations, however this proved immensely difficult. Many athletes fell ill, as previous studies found virus levels 1.7 million times higher than safe limits. Athletes were forced to take antibiotics and train in protective suits to avoid illness, and this event showed how poor environmental management combines with climate change to create unsafe and unsanitary conditions for top level sport.

4 – 2022 Winter Olympics – Lack of Snowfall

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics relied on artificial snow due to lack of snowfall in the area. Global warming significantly reduced snowfall levels making artificial snow production necessary – over 200 million litres of water and 130 snow machines were used to create appropriate conditions. However, this seemed counterproductive, as huge amounts of water and energy were used to produce the artificial materials. The 2022 Winter Olympics therefore act as an indicator of the challenges winter sports face in a warming world, as climate change disrupts natural snowfall and precipitation cycles.

5 – 2019 Rugby World Cup – Typhoon Hagibis

Typhoon Hagibis wreaked havoc during the pool stage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. As winds reached 140 mph and floods impacted vast regions, three matches were postponed, including England vs France. 2019 marked the first time Rugby World Cup matches were postponed due to poor weather, as the typhoon left 98 dead and billions of dollars in damages. Such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as warmer ocean temperatures cause high winds and torrential rain, disrupting sporting events and causing unplayable conditions.

6 – 2021 US Open – Hurricane Ida

Hurricane Ida caused extensive flooding in New York City and caused chaos during the 2021 US Open. Torrential rain flooded areas of the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre, forcing schedule adjustments and match postponements. Spectators were forced to wade through knee-deep water to access the venue, while indoor courts were closed to due leaking and flooding. New York received a record-breaking three inches of rain in just one hour, underscoring the vulnerability of sporting events to extreme weather conditions, and the need for more resilient infrastructure.

 7 – 2010 Ryder Cup – Torrential Rain

The 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales became the first in history to require a fourth day to complete due to adverse weather conditions. Over 40mm of rain fell over the Celtic Manor course, as match lengths were reduced and schedules adjusted. Drainage systems struggled to cope with the weather, and fans navigated muddy and slippery conditions, emphasising the ever-increasing risk of hosting outdoor sporting events in the middle of a climate crisis. Studies show rainfall intensity in the UK is projected to increase by 25% by 2100 – a dire forecast for sports in one of the world’s leading sporting nations.

8 – 2015 Tour de France - Extreme Heat

During Stage 13 of the 2015 Tour de France, extreme heat caused road temperatures to pass 60 degrees Celsius, causing roads to soften and creating dangerous conditions for the competitors. Riders reported tyres sticking to the asphalt, and event marshals resulted to spraying water on melting areas to maintain safety. Extreme heat in Europe has become more frequent and intense due to climate change, again raising questions about the sustainability of sports in the region. This event showed how rising temperatures can impact not just the competitors, but the infrastructure and conditions needed to host the event.

9 – 2019 Big Bash League – Bushfires

The 2019-20 Australian bushfires impacted several Big Bash League matches, with games postponed or interrupted due to unsafe air quality. A clash in Canberra between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers was suspended when players complained of breathing difficulties, as smoke from the fires covered stadiums, sparking conversations about the safety of the competition. The fires emitted over 400 megatons of carbon dioxide, serving as a reminder of the climate crisis and its influence on global sporting events.

10 – 2018 Boston Marathon – Cold and Rain

The 2018 Boston Marathon was held under some of the most extreme and unpredictable weather imaginable. Held in April, heavy rain, near-freezing temperatures, and strong winds turned the race into a survival challenge rather than endurance race. Over 2,700 competitors required medical attention, but despite the conditions, American runner Des Linden became the first US woman to win the race in 33 years. Even for a springtime event traditionally held in calm, mild conditions, the 2018 Boston Marathon highlighted the increasing unpredictability of weather conditions, and how they impact sporting events.

From intense heat to torrential rain, climate change is impacting sports more than ever. These examples demonstrate the urgent need for organisers, athletes, and fans to adapt to a world where extreme weather is becoming more frequent. The future of sports relies on proactive planning and resilience against the effects of climate change.