More than 400 Olympians from nearly 90 countries around the world have joined in a call for the winner of next week's International Olympic Committee presidential election to make climate their top priority.

Samaranch, one of seven candidates for the most powerful job in world sports, told Reuters in an interview that should he win the March 20 IOC vote, he would act quickly to avoid having the Olympic Games tarnished by a gender dispute, as was the case in last year's Paris Olympics.

As the race for the next International Olympic Committee president heats up, climate change and sustainability have emerged as defining issues.

Just days before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) elects a new president in Greece more than 400 athletes on Friday called on the future leader of the body to strengthen its action for the environment.

More than 400 athletes, including more than 20 Canadians, speak up about threat of climate change to both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games.

Around 350 Olympians from 85 countries, including India's Saina Nehwal and PR Sreejesh, have written a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidential candidates, urging them to make