BUDAPEST - Athletics faces an uncertain future in the face of the changing climate, with the sport's head Sebastian Coe warning on Friday that athletes are already suffering and some member federations' countries might not even exist in the future.
Nearly 80 per cent of athletes surveyed by World Athletics said they are seriously concerned about the climate crisis, and some 75 per cent said their competition or training has already been affected, the Briton said on the eve of the world championships.
In a summer that has seen wildfires raging, record high temperatures across southern Europe and relentless flooding in Asia, the World Athletics president said sports bodies cannot rely on governments to avert the crisis.
"Where would I start?" the twice Olympic champion said.
"I genuinely don't think governments are going to meet any of the targets that are being identified. And this is very much a personal view, I'm not speaking on behalf of World Athletics. It's something that I have felt very strongly about for a long time.
This story is from the August 20, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the August 20, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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