Before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics commencement, several weather specialists and physicians warned about the drastic climate changes. In addition, the specialists warned that changes such as the artificial snow would make it difficult for Athletes to compete due to its ability to cause various injuries. Now studies are coming out to support this claim.
A recent study supports the concerns voiced by several physicians and Olympic contributors of the artificial snow dangers. Furthermore, the concerns raised by the researchers highlighted that artificial snow was among the leading causes of sports injuries.
A different study conducted by German physicians identified severe injuries resulting from falling on manmade skiing slopes in the hospitals. In addition, the study authors approached various athletes who revealed their discontent with the artificial snow developments such as snow piles.
Athletes participating in sports such as skiing found it challenging to perform on the artificial snow due to the level of their stunts. An article published in the New York Post revealed that 2022’s winter Olympics would only use artificial snow and tools. The snow tools will be operating the entire time the sports are in progress.
Other studies, such as London’s Loughborough University, reported that manmade snow in Beijing covers up for the lack of natural snow. The university reported that the lack of snow during the Winter forces the country to utilize artificial to cover the event. In addition, the snow tools must operate the entire day to produce the snow effect, thus becoming a hazardous factor to the environment.
The country has on several occasions assured the Olympics’ stakeholders that it only uses recycled water in creating snow. However, various sources dispute this notion, thus causing concerns that water consumption might burden the country.
One of the factors that might ruin the Winter Olympic Sports includes global warming, thus reducing the number of viable locations to host the event. As a result, the study authors expect the athletes to utilize 10 locations even though the country reserved 21 locations.