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Australian race walke Rhydian Cowley was over the moon after being named the Green ‘World Athlete of the Year' for her work climate change.
Australian race walker Rhydian Cowley has been named the Green ‘World Athlete of the Year', in recognition of his climate advocacy and promotion of environmental sustainability at both local and global levels.
Cowley, who is a member of the World Athletics Champions for a Better World programme, is a bronze medallist in the marathon race walk mixed relay at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The eighth-place finisher in the men's 50km walk at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, told BBC: “Taking action on climate change is the best way to respond to its impacts, which are already affecting our lives and our sports - impacts that I have experienced first-hand in competition and training."
“Winning this Green Sports award helps me to feel like the route I've taken is making a valuable contribution and supports me to continue my own climate action journey,” Cowley pointed out.
The 33-year-old lauded World Athletics' move to empower athletes: “In particular I'd like to note World Athletics and its Champions for a Better World programme for the way it has empowered voices within the sport of athletics since its creation. This has supported the Athletics for a Better World platform that has justifiably helped earn World Athletics the 2024 Elite Organisation Award.”
Cowley is also active in EcoAthletics, the Sports Environment Alliance, Champions For Earth, High Impact Athletes, and FrontRunners, all largely athlete-led groups working to promote and foster environmental awareness and action in their communities.
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