Olympic skiers Vonn, Shiffrin and Brignone voice concern over melting glaciers

Several Olympic skiers including Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin and Federica Brignone said nearby glaciers have dramatically shrunk; Italian researchers report more than 200 square kilometres of glacier loss since the late 1950s and projects indicate some glaciers could largely disappear within years under high-warming scenarios.

Several Olympic skiers, including Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin and Federica Brignone, have spoken about the shrinking glaciers around Cortina d'Ampezzo during the Games. Athletes say glaciers once used for training have become much smaller or retreated to higher elevations. Italian scientists and research projects cited in the coverage report substantial glacier area loss and accelerating decline in recent decades. Known details: - Athletes report that glaciers used for training have shrunk, making some sites harder to use and pushing ice to higher elevations. - A University of Milan glaciologist said Italy has lost more than 200 square kilometres of glacier area since the late 1950s and that the rate of loss has accelerated in the last one to two decades. - The Marmolada glacier in the Dolomites was reported halved over a 25-year period, and a modelling project cited in the coverage projects it could be largely gone by 2034 under a 2.7°C warming scenario. Summary: Athletes and scientists describe accelerated glacier loss that is affecting alpine training areas and is linked to broader environmental impacts such as changing water and mountain conditions. Undetermined at this time.