The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is analyzing the possibility of moving the upcoming Winter Olympics to January instead of the traditional February. This decision aims to create more favorable conditions for holding competitions in snow sports.
The reason for this change in timing is climate change and the decrease in natural snowfall, which complicates preparations for competitions and the use of snow tracks. A potential shift in dates could also lead to conflicts with the World Cup calendar, as well as coincide with the NFL and NBA seasons, creating additional challenges for athletes and broadcasters.
Karl Stoss, an IOC representative, stated:
“We are considering moving the Games to January, as March is too late when the sun begins to actively melt the snow. This also applies to the Paralympic Games.”
According to an IOC study, by 2040 only 10 countries will be able to host winter Olympic and Paralympic competitions in snow sports. At the Beijing Olympics in 2022, almost entirely artificial snow was used for the first time, created with the help of more than 100 generators.
The final decision on the possible date change will be made by the IOC at a meeting in June, as part of the "Fit For The Future" initiative, which also includes discussions on new sports for the 2030 Olympics in the French Alps and the 2034 Olympics in Utah.
