Every four years, the Winter Olympics captures the attention of the world. From gravity-defying ski jumps to meticulous precision of ice skating, the games are a display of human energy at its peak. However, behind the scenes, another kind of energy shapes how the Olympics are experienced.
Hosting the Winter Olympics presents a massive energy challenge. More specifically, athlete villages and surrounding infrastructure require reliable electricity for lighting, broadcasting, and transportation.
In recent years, host cities have turned to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power to meet these demands more sustainably. Organizers are also investing in energy-efficient building designs and advanced battery storage systems to balance peak loads and improve reliability. Together, these innovations keep the Olympics running while also reducing the carbon footprint.
The Olympics have become a powerful platform for energy awareness. In recent years, artificial snow production has been under scrutiny for its environmental impact. Based on this, hosts are investing in long-term sustainability plans that benefit the region after the Olympics has ended. Overall, the Winter Olympics goes beyond each metal as it reminds the world that energy is central to performance.
1 Snow, Climate-Change and the Olympic winter games (International Olympic Committee, 2022).