A total of 451 Olympic athletes from 91 countries, including Indonesia, have called on International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry to prioritize climate crisis response against the increasing impact of climate change, in particular reference to the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Olympics.

The appeal was conveyed in an open letter signed by the athletes. Among the signatories are Indonesian wall climbers Veddriq Leonardo, a gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Rajiah Sallsabillah, a gold medalist at the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup Chamonix 2023 in France and participant in the 2024 Olympics.

The letter highlights how rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions have disrupted Olympic schedules, threatened iconic venues, and endangered the health of athletes and fans. The Los Angeles wildfires have further raised concerns about whether future Summer and Winter Olympics can be held safely as global temperatures continue to rise.

The athletes stress that climate change is no longer a distant threat but an immediate and escalating danger to all sports and nations. They urge concrete actions to ensure the Olympic Games remain viable and safe for future generations.

The letter outlines four key demands: strengthening the IOC’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainability in host cities, setting stricter sponsorship standards to exclude polluters, and leveraging the IOC’s platform to advocate for environmental protection.

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen these many athletes from around the world speaking in unison. The wildfires in Los Angeles are a clear signal that we must choose a path toward a safer and brighter future. As a sailor and a mother, this issue is deeply personal. The Olympics have made dreams come true for many, but my greatest dream is for a future where my children can thrive,” Hannah Mills OBE, a British Olympic sailing champion and one of the key initiators of the letter, said as quoted in a statement on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

The signatory athletes have also requested an initial meeting with the IOC President to discuss how the Olympics can take a leadership role in combating the climate crisis.

“As athletes, we strive to be the best, but we also need to push for a healthier and better planet. The solidarity shown through this letter is remarkable, making it clear that the newly elected IOC President must prioritize sustainability to protect the environment where we train, compete, and live,” Saina Nehwal, an Indian badminton star who has competed in three Olympic Games and won a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, said.