Sport for Future: Top athletes and scientists commit to the planet with 4-day glacier hike

Armelle Courtois and Martin Thomas have created a collective project aimed at explaining the causes and consequences of global warming and discussing the different levers for action, so that athletes can in turn become the spokespersons for these messages to their communities. Courtois is the vice-world champion in speed kitesurfing and Thomas was a canoe slalom finalist at the Tokyo Olympics.

Former international rugby player Lenaïg Corson is the ambassador for this 3rd edition of Sport For Future, which will take place from September 30 to October 3, 2024 in Chamonix, in the middle of European Sustainable Development Week. In the presence of ultra trail runner Xavier Thévenard and glaciologists Luc Moreau and Jean Baptiste Bosson, Sport For Future is opening up to the general public this year during an "open day" on Thursday, October 3.

FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TO COLLECTIVE AWARENESS

Sport For Future was born in 2022, following a project initiated by Armelle Courtois and Martin Thomas, who pushed the limits of kitesurfing by "riding" the highest lakes in the world, all located at an altitude of over 5000m, from the Alps to the Himalayas via the Andes.

This adventure, which gave birth to a 52-minute documentary "One Degree", takes a look at global warming through glacial retreat which generates the formation of numerous lakes in high mountains directly threatening ecosystems and millions of human beings . Armelle and Martin returned with the urgency of working to raise awareness of the impact of the climate crisis. And what could be more natural than to do so with their peers, high-level athletes.

Watch the trailer for One Degree, a documentary on the use of kitesurfing to raise awareness about glacial melt. More info on the documentary. Watch on YouTube

ENCOURAGING SPORTSMEN TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PLANET

Sport For Future aims to mobilize and raise awareness among high-level athletes about the condition of glaciers, the true keystones of the climate and life on earth, which are currently under serious threat. In addition to informing these distinguished guests about the real challenges of preserving glaciers through an immersive experience in the high mountains, this event aims to help them build legitimacy on the subject and a discourse adapted to the messages to be transmitted.

Indeed, the stated objective is to inspire these athletes to take positive action and to echo crucial climate issues to their communities, so that the message is spread to as many people as possible. This is why the athletes invited come from very diverse backgrounds and are not limited to specialists in outdoor sports. It is also essential that athletes take up the subject to change the world of sport and high-level sports in order to respond to or even anticipate the environmental issues that will impact society as a whole.

Among the guests this year who will succeed Kilian Jornet and other Olympic champions present at previous editions are Angèle Hug, silver medalist in kayak cross at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Alexis Jandard, 5th at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in diving, Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, 800m World Champion, Lou Jeanmonnot, 2024 Petit Globe and 2024 Relay World Champion in biathlon, Jade Ulutule, silver medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Rugby 7s, the Ladevant brothers, World Champion and 2022 bronze medalist in ice climbing, Nelia Barbosa, Olympic Para canoeing Vice-champion in Paris 2024, and Florian Grengbo, bronze medalist in track cycling in Tokyo.

A CENTER OF EXPERTS TO SHOW THE WAY

To support athletes in this immersion in the heart of the glaciers, the Sport 4 Future organization has put together a unique team of experts.

First of all, two top athletes :
- The ambassador of this 3rd edition, Lenaïg Corson, is a former member of the French rugby team and now an impact entrepreneur, and is committed to women's sport and respect for the environment.
- Xavier Thévenard: ultra trail runner, triple winner of the UTMB

A solid scientific center then, composed of two illustrious glaciologists:
- Jean-Baptiste Bosson, member of the National Council for the Protection of Nature and scientific mission manager at the Haute-Savoie Natural Spaces Conservatory (ASTERS)
- Luc Moreau, specialist in subglacial hydrology and expert glaciologist of Mont Blanc.

Two NGOs and a foundation:
- Protect Our Winters France brings together the community of outdoor sports enthusiasts to use their shared passion to take action for the climate.
- A Bottle in the Sea aims to raise awareness of environmental threats through images and sport.
- Eau, Neige & Glace Foundation, which works to return 100% pure water to nature by supporting scientists and changing behaviors regarding the use of mountain water.

Finally, Timothée Parrique, a researcher in ecological economics, known for his award-winning work "Slow Down or Perish, the Economy of Degrowth", and Amadea Kostrzewa, in charge of environmental and climate mobilization for Paris 2024.

IMMERSION IN THE GLACIAL ZONE, WORKSHOPS AND ROUND TABLES

After accompanying the guests in the creation of their carbon footprint and a climate fresco, the experts brought together by Sport For Future will strive to draw attention to the reality of global warming on the ground, on and under the glaciers over the next 2 days.

The entire group will first go to the Mer de Glace for a unique and impactful photo project on the legacy of the Olympic Games, which will take them from Chamonix 1924 to the Alps of 2030. They will also take part in a workshop on installing and replacing glacier measurement beacons on the Bossons glacier .

Athletes who participated in previous editions such as Nicolas Fleury (MTB Trial), Victor Galuchot (Skiing), Hilary Kpatcha (Paris Olympic Games finalist in long jump, French champion), Axel Clerget (Olympic judo team champion Tokyo 2020), will be invited to join the group on Thursday, October 3 to close this 3rd edition, in order to offer continuity of work on the actions undertaken, but also to share a moment of awareness with the general public, during a photo exhibition, round tables, conferences and workshops in the heart of Chamonix.

Scientific interventions, activities in glacial zones, round tables, sharing of experiences...everything will be implemented to allow athletes to better understand the subject before being able to act.