Top alpine skiers have raised alarm over accelerating glacier loss during the Winter Games in Cortina.
Lindsey Vonn said many glaciers she trained on as a child have almost disappeared.
Mikaela Shiffrin added that athletes witness climate change from a “front-row seat”.
Federica Brignone warned the retreating ice threatens more than sport.
Italy has lost more than 200 square kilometres of glacier area since the late 1950s.
Scientists report the decline has accelerated sharply in the past two decades.
Glaciers near Cortina have shrunk to small patches high in the Dolomites.
Skiers rely on glaciers for early-season training and consistent snow.
Warmer temperatures now expose rocks, crevasses and flowing water on former training slopes.
Athletes say each year begins with less snow and greater uncertainty.
The Marmolada glacier, the largest in the Dolomites, has already lost half its volume in 25 years.
Researchers warn it could largely disappear by 2034 if warming continues near current levels.
Limiting global heating to 1.5°C could extend its life and save many Alpine glaciers.
Glacier loss also threatens water supplies, increases mountain hazards and raises sea levels.
Studies show the world has lost more than 6.5 trillion tonnes of ice since 2000.
Athletes argue winter sports must push for emissions cuts and environmental action to secure their future.
