Olympians appeal to governments to create ‘healthy and safe’ planet One-minute video address was produced with the support of International Olympic Committee DUBAI: More than 50 of the world’s top athletes, including Saudi Arabia’s rowing star, Husein Alireza, have addressed global leaders to adopt ambitious climate action during COP26 in Glasgow. “Dear leaders of the world,” Alireza, says to start off the one-minute video featuring Olympians in a joint effort to appeal to governments to create a “healthy and safe” planet. In the video, which was produced with the support of the International Olympic Committee, sportsmen like Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge, British tennis legend Andy Murray and others encourage global leaders to adopt aspiring climate action. Alireza, the gold medal winner at the Asian Continental Qualifiers for the 2021 World Indoor Rowing Championships, posted a comment along with the video on his Instagram, saying it was a privilege to join the world’s best athletes encouraging our World Leaders to adopt ambitious climate action this fortnight at COP26 in Glasgow … this is the race we need to win.” The video was the initiative of gold medal winning sailor, Hannah Mills and rower, Melissa Wilson. “We think athletes have a huge potential to be powerful advocates for the environment,” said Mills said. “Sport has huge cultural and political influence. The platform athletes have and the support they receive from fans means we are in a key position to communicate about what matters.”