POTENTIAL RISKS OF OUTDOOR SPORTS IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

Abstract

It is inevitable that each sector has a distinct vulnerability to climate change in divergent dimensions with different aspects. When health, social, cultural, and economic components are considered together, the vulnerability of the sports sector to climate change cannot be ignored in terms of its mass impact. Thus, it is estimated that professional or amateur athletes, trainers, and spectators, as well as managers, administrators, media workers, and sponsor companies interested in outdoor sports will be exposed to the potential direct and/or indirect impacts of climate change in the future. In this context, the potential impacts and risks of climate change on outdoor sports activities were comprehensively reviewed in terms of climate change indicators about the health of athletes and spectators, venues and calendars of competitions. Accordingly, the danger and risk thresholds were determined for the mentioned sports branches, and the conditions that cause the postponement or cancellation of the competitions are examined. Additionally, the extent to which these values and conditions may change in the short and long term with the increasing impacts of climate change has been considered. Moreover, the rules and regulations added to the sports and health policies of countries in order to minimize or prevent the adverse impacts caused by climate change have been examined, and additional precautions to be taken have been mentioned. The review indicates that these potential climate change-related disruptions may pose a serious risk for outdoor sports in terms of the health of athletes and spectators and sectoral incomes.