Kirsty Coventry, IOC president, acknowledged the need for improvement regarding climate change after receiving a petition signed by over 21,000 people. The petition calls for an end to fossil fuel company sponsorships in winter sports. This comes as Italy's Eni, an oil company, is a 'premium partner' of the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The petition's delivery follows reports highlighting the shrinking number of locations capable of hosting future Winter Olympics due to the impact of climate change. Coventry stated that the IOC is having discussions to improve. The IOC aims to make the Olympics more sustainable by utilizing pre-existing facilities across wider areas, as seen in the Milan-Cortina games.

The Milan-Cortina games will be spread across three hubs in northern Italy, with only two new sporting facilities. The French Alps 2030 and Utah 2034 Winter Olympics will also adopt this approach. This shift aims for sustainability, but Coventry noted it could present challenges for national Olympic committees, broadcast, and media.

Coventry expressed hope that all nations would be treated respectfully during the games. The official start of the 2026 Winter Olympics is Friday, following the start of curling events on Wednesday. The spread-out nature of the games will offer a learning opportunity, balancing sustainability with logistical complexities.