The Games claim to be the first international collegiate multisport event to make sustainability a major theme.

Athletes, spectators, volunteers and other stakeholders can spend $1 (£0.83/€0.94) to plant a single tree, although a minimum donation of $2 is required (£1.66/€1.87) "in order to avoid fraudulent charges".

As it stands, a total of $1,080 (£896/€1,010) has been raised with curling leading the way as the most popular sport on $299 (£250/€280).

A goal of $26,500 (£22,000/€24,800) has been set, with trees from the campaign set to be planted in the American states of Oregon and Washington.

One Tree Planted claims to have planted more than 40 million trees in more than 47 countries since 2014 in an effort to "give back to the environment, create a healthier climate, protect biodiversity, and help reforestation efforts."

Donations - one-time, weekly or monthly - can be made in the name of a favourite winter sport that is part of Lake Placid 2023.

Donations will then be tallied to determine the "winning" sport.

Save winter is the theme for both the FISU World Conference and the Games, and is designed to link the environment with every aspect of the competition.

"With the motto 'Together We Can - Save Winter,' the initiative plans to provide climate action education; reduce and mitigate the event's carbon footprint; minimise waste to landfill; encourage responsible sourcing; and leave a legacy of awareness for future sporting events in the Adirondack region, New York State and beyond," read a Lake Placid 2023 statement.

Lake Placid 2023 is due to take place from January 12 to 22 with 1,443 athletes from 44 countries set to compete.