Last Thursday, World Athletics announced a new athlete-led initiative aimed to address environmental concerns.
This group of athletes, which are known as ‘Champions for a Better World,’ will campaign and use their platforms to promote sustainable environmental practices, while also encouraging athletes to use their platforms and share their environmental concerns.
The athletes who make up the ‘Champions for a Better World’ are Tobi Amusan, Kelsey-Lee Barber, Ajla Del Ponte, Allison Dos Santos, Sam Mattis, Eliza McCartney, Ernest John Obiena, Elena Vallortigara and Hugues Fabrice Zango.
World Athletics reported in their official press release that in a survey given to the athletes in the sport, over 76% of the athletes surveyed said that they’re concerned about climate change, 72% of the athletes felt that climate change impacts the sport, while 90% believed that the sport should help build a more sustainable future.
“It’s clear that an overwhelming majority of our athletes are very concerned about the impacts that climate change is having on their lives and on our sport, ”World Athletics President Seb Coe said in the press release. “It’s critical for us to act on those concerns, to put practical applications in place where we can, and to drive the sport forward with the advocacy and the high-profile voices that athletes can bring.”
World Athletics said that video messages will be shared on World Athletics platforms over the next two weeks from the athletes.
