Norwegian skier hands IOC a petition to 'ski fossil free' ahead of the Olympics
#Nikolai Schirmer #International Olympic Committee #Ski Fossil Free #Fossil Fuel Sponsorships #Climate Change #Winter Sports #Milan Cortina Winter Olympics #FIS
📌 Key Takeaways
- Norwegian skier Nikolai Schirmer delivered a 'Ski Fossil Free' petition with over 21,000 signatures to the IOC in Milan, Italy, on February 4, 2026.
- The petition calls for an end to fossil fuel company sponsorships in winter sports and demands a report on the appropriateness of such marketing.
- Schirmer expressed disappointment with the IOC's lack of transparency and commitment to addressing fossil fuel sponsorships.
- The campaign aims to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on winter sports and the need for sustainable practices.
- The IOC acknowledged climate change as a significant challenge but did not commit to reviewing fossil fuel marketing.
📖 Full Retelling
Norwegian skier Nikolai Schirmer presented the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with a petition signed by over 21,000 individuals and athletes on February 4, 2026, in Milan, Italy. The petition, titled 'Ski Fossil Free,' calls for an end to fossil fuel companies sponsoring winter sports, arguing that such sponsorships bolster the reputations of these companies while they contribute to climate change. Schirmer, a filmmaker and two-time European Skier of the Year, handed the petition to Julie Duffus, the IOC's head of sustainability, just two days before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics were set to begin. The petition also demands that the IOC and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) publish a report evaluating the appropriateness of fossil fuel marketing before the next season. Schirmer expressed disappointment that the IOC did not allow media to witness the meeting, suggesting a lack of transparency and commitment to addressing the issue. He emphasized the urgent need for winter sports to confront climate change, as shorter, milder winters and reduced snowfall threaten the future of these sports. The petition drive, launched in January, surpassed its initial goal of 20,000 signatures within a month and continues to gain support. Schirmer compared the campaign to a successful effort nearly 40 years ago that led to a ban on tobacco advertising at the Olympics. The IOC acknowledged climate change as a significant challenge but did not commit to reviewing fossil fuel marketing. Meanwhile, FIS noted that no fossil fuel companies are partners of its World Cup and World Championships. The campaign has garnered support from athlete-driven environmental groups and individual athletes, who argue that accepting sponsorships from fossil fuel companies is short-sighted and detrimental to the long-term viability of winter sports. The debate highlights the tension between the financial benefits of such sponsorships and the environmental consequences of fossil fuel use.
🐦 Character Reactions (Tweets)
Frosty McSnowflakeIOC: 'We care about the environment!' Also IOC: 'But we still want your oil money, Exxon.' #SkiFossilFree #OlympicsHypocrisy
Carbon Footprint TrackerBreaking: IOC's sustainability head Julie Duffus accepts petition, then immediately checks her oil stock portfolio. #SkiFossilFree #Greenwashing
Skiing EnthusiastIOC: 'Climate change is a challenge.' Also IOC: 'But let's not talk about it during the Games, okay?' #SkiFossilFree #WinterIsComing
Environmental ActivistIOC's transparency level: 'We'll take your petition, but shhh, don't tell the sponsors.' #SkiFossilFree #OlympicsSecrets
💬 Character Dialogue
Сквідвард:
Well, well, looks like even the Olympics can't escape the stench of fossil fuels. I guess money talks, and the rest of us are just background noise.
bayonetta:
Darling, if the IOC won't ski fossil free, perhaps they should at least try to look good doing it. A little glamour never hurt anyone.
Ерік Картман:
Hey, hey, hey! What's this about skiing? I thought we were talking about food. I demand a snack break, like, right now!
bayonetta:
Oh, sweetie, the only thing melting faster than the polar ice caps is your self-control. Maybe you should ski fossil free too.
Сквідвард:
And here I thought the Olympics were about sportsmanship, not sponsorships. But then again, what do I know? I'm just a cynical octopus.
🏷️ Themes
Environmental Activism, Sports Sponsorships, Climate Change, Olympic Commitments
📚 Related People & Topics
International Olympic Committee
Governing body of Olympic sports
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the international, non-governmental, sports governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, it is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IOC is the authority responsible for organising the Summer, Win...
Climate change
Human-caused changes to climate on Earth
Present-day climate change includes both global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its wider effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes to Earth's climate. The modern-day rise in global temperatures is dri...
🔗 Entity Intersection Graph
Connections for International Olympic Committee:
- 👤 Winter Olympic Games (16 shared articles)
- 🌐 Italy (9 shared articles)
- 🌐 Opening ceremony (5 shared articles)
- 🌐 Ukraine (5 shared articles)
- 👤 Vladyslav Heraskevych (5 shared articles)
- 🌐 Winter sports (4 shared articles)
- 👤 Olympic Games (4 shared articles)
- 👤 Olympic Charter (3 shared articles)
- 🌐 Skeleton (3 shared articles)
- 👤 San Siro (3 shared articles)
- 👤 Olympic Village (2 shared articles)
- 🌐 Norway (2 shared articles)
📄 Original Source Content
Norwegian skier hands IOC a petition to 'ski fossil free' ahead of the Olympics Norwegian skier Nikolai Schirmer has handed the International Olympic Committee a petition signed by more than 21,000 people who want to stop fossil fuel companies from bolstering their reputations by sponsoring winter sports By JENNIFER MCDERMOTT Associated Press and FERNANDA FIGUEROA Associated Press February 4, 2026, 5:51 AM MILAN -- Norwegian skier Nikolai Schirmer on Wednesday handed the International Olympic Committee a petition signed by more than 21,000 people and professional athletes who want to stop fossil fuel companies from sponsoring winter sports. Schirmer delivered the “Ski Fossil Free” petition to the IOC's head of sustainability, Julie Duffus, at a hotel in the Italian city of Milan two days before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics kick off. The petition asks the IOC and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, FIS, to publish a report evaluating the appropriateness of fossil fuel marketing before next season. Schirmer, a filmmaker and two-time European Skier of the Year, spoke exclusively with The Associated Press outside the hotel, and said the IOC informed him that it would not allow media to witness their meeting. “It seems like the Olympics aren’t ready to be the positive force for change that they have the potential to be,” Schirmer told the AP afterward. “So I just hope this can be a little nudge in the right direction, but we will see.” Schirmer is a freeride skier who documents his adventures exploring Europe’s steep terrains. While freeride skiing is not currently an Olympic event, he said he felt like he needed to bring attention to fossil fuel marketing. “The show goes on while the things you depend on to do your job — winter — is disappearing in front of your very eyes,” he said. “Not dealing with the climate crisis and not having skiing be a force for change just felt insane. We’re on the front lines.” Burning fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – is t...