Olympic Leader Advocates for Global Adaptation Amid Environmental Challenges
Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, shared bold plans to reshape the future of global sports during an exclusive interview with CGTN Sports Scene. Speaking at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, he emphasized addressing climate change and embracing esports as critical priorities for the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Winter Games Spark Climate Innovation
Jordan made history at the Harbin event with alpine skier Sharif Zawaideh competing in the men's slalom – a milestone Prince Feisal called \"proof that winter sports can transcend traditional boundaries.\" He praised China's achievement in engaging 300 million people in winter sports, noting its significance for global athletic development.
\"Climate change isn't a distant threat – it's reshaping our sporting reality,\"
the IOC presidential candidate stated, proposing flexible scheduling and regional event formats to preserve Winter Olympics accessibility. Current predictions suggest only 10 nations might host the Games by 2040 due to rising temperatures.
Esports: The New Frontier
Revealing his personal passion for gaming, Prince Feisal advocated for measured integration of esports: \"While competitive gaming won't immediately become a medal event, we must explore its potential to engage youth worldwide.\" This stance aligns with growing interest in electronic sports across G20 nations, particularly among under-35 demographics.
Reference(s):
Jordanian Olympic chief Prince Feisal on running for IOC presidency
cgtn.com
