The Climate of Sport
The Climate of Sport is your weekly fast-take on the biggest stories in sport, through the lens of forces reshaping the game. From extreme weather to sustainability, and the business realities behind it, we break down what’s happening, what it means, and why it matters for sports organisations, athletes, leagues, sponsors, investors, fans and participants.
Sport is entering a new era. Climate impacts are already affecting how events are played, scheduled, and delivered, while sustainability is becoming central to governance, funding, and commercial strategy. For those working in the sport ecosystem, investors, and leaders, understanding these shifts isn’t optional, it’s essential. This podcast gives you the context behind the headlines and a front-row seat to the biggest changes shaping the future of sport.
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The Climate of Sport
The Cost of Carrying On: Heat Fatalities, World Cup Controversies & Event Expansion
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Claire is coming in hot with this week's Climate Hat Trick – literally. As extreme heat affects countries around the world, Claire looks at the growing risks of the changing climate in sport, the escalating scrutiny on player welfare at the World Cup, and what scaling up the London Marathon for 2027 means for sustainability.
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This week's Climate Hat-Trick stories:
Story 1: Malaysian rugby player dies of "heatstroke, dehydration and organ failure"
Deaths of 3 rugby players in Malaysia expose brutal side of heatwave - https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3357514/deaths-3-rugby-players-malaysia-expose-brutal-side-heatwave
Kedah rugby player placed in induced coma after collapsing during game - https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/05/1447284/kedah-rugby-player-placed-induced-coma-after-collapsing-during-game
Story 2: FIFA World Cup 2026 Weekly Roundup
Disruption
Heat
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/19/world-cup-matches-severe-heat-level-analysis
- https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/insight/referee-cramp-delays-usa-s-world-cup-win-over-australia/gm-GMF729057C?gemSnapshotKey=GMF729057C-snapshot-5&uxmode=ruby
Hydration
- https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/49134148/marcelo-bielsa-hydration-break-adds-takes-away-lot-uruguay
- https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/world-cup-fans-have-been-booing-hydration-breaks
- https://www.hitc.com/paul-gascoigne-warns-of-world-cup-hydration-break-risks-and-proposes-simpler-alternative/
Protests
- https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/06/20/world-cup-2026/climate-protest-fifa-aramco-dodgers-00969096
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/17/protesters-to-rally-against-world-cup-sponsor-hyundai-before-mexico-game
Story 3: London Marathon is Seeing Double
Announcing the 2027 TCS London Marathon Double: Two Days. One Event. 100,000 People - https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/article/announcing-2027-tcs-london-marathon-double-two-days-one-event-100000-people
Managing our environmental impact at the TCS London Marathon - https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/environment
London Marathon Events deepens climate commitment - https://www.londonmarathongroup.org/article/london-marathon-events-deepens-climate-commitment
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