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IOC Considers January Winter Olympics to Combat Climate Change

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, February 4th 2026 at 8:58 GMT by The Straits Times
      Locales: SWITZERLAND, CHINA, UNITED STATES

Gangwon, South Korea - February 4th, 2026 - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is seriously considering a significant shake-up to the Winter Olympic schedule, exploring a move to January to safeguard the future of the Games in the face of escalating climate change concerns. The proposal, revealed today by IOC President Thomas Bach at the Youth Winter Games in Gangwon, aims to address the growing unreliability of natural snowfall at traditional winter sports venues.

For years, the IOC has been wrestling with the undeniable impact of a warming planet on winter sports. Increasingly, host cities are forced to rely heavily on artificial snow, a costly and environmentally questionable solution. While artificial snow can provide a surface for competition, it's energy-intensive to produce and often doesn't replicate the quality and performance characteristics of natural snow, impacting athlete experience and potentially competition outcomes.

"We're facing increasing challenges from climate change, and we need to be proactive in ensuring that the Winter Games can continue to be held in safe and reliable conditions," Bach stated. "Moving the Games to January would give us a better chance of having consistent snow conditions and reducing the need for artificial snow, which is costly and environmentally damaging."

This isn't a new discussion, but it's gaining momentum. The IOC recognizes that the current February timeframe, while historically established, is becoming increasingly vulnerable. A shift to January, earlier in the traditional winter season, would theoretically coincide with periods of more consistent natural snowfall in many northern hemisphere locations. However, the implications of such a move are far-reaching and complex.

The timing of the Winter Games hasn't always been fixed. Before 1992, the Games were held sporadically throughout the winter months. The 1992 Albertville Games were a notable departure, taking place in October and November, an experiment that didn't last. The current February schedule has been the standard for over three decades, but the IOC believes it's time to re-evaluate.

While the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, are still slated for February, the IOC is looking further ahead. The 2030 Games are scheduled for Brisbane, Australia - a location that already faces considerable climate challenges. The selection of Brisbane prompted significant debate, highlighting the difficulty of finding viable host cities that can guarantee suitable winter conditions.

Impact Beyond the Slopes

Moving the Winter Olympics to January wouldn't be a simple logistical adjustment. The proposal raises a multitude of concerns for various stakeholders. Firstly, it would necessitate a significant restructuring of the entire winter sports calendar. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and other disciplines currently peak in February, and shifting that peak to January would require coordination with international federations to avoid clashes with existing World Cup events and championships.

Broadcasters represent another major hurdle. January is a busy month for many television networks, often filled with football playoffs, and other popular winter programming. Securing prime-time slots for the Winter Olympics would likely require renegotiations of existing contracts and potentially higher broadcast rights fees. Sponsorship agreements, too, would need to be revised to accommodate the new timing.

For athletes, the change could impact training schedules and the competitive season as a whole. Adjusting to a January Games would require a different physical and mental preparation regime, potentially favoring athletes from regions with earlier winters.

The IOC is aware of these challenges and emphasizes that no final decisions have been made. They intend to embark on a period of extensive consultation with international sports federations, broadcasters, sponsors, and athlete representatives before determining the feasibility of a January shift. A thorough impact assessment will be crucial to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of the proposal.

The debate over the future of the Winter Olympics is a microcosm of the broader global conversation about climate change and its impact on sports. As temperatures continue to rise, the IOC - and all sporting organizations - must adapt to ensure the long-term viability of winter sports and protect the legacy of the Olympic Games.