Olympic Games
The Olympic Games represent one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes more than 200 countries that can participate in the event. The games move from one host city to the next every four years. The thousands of athletes captivate the attention of billions of people across the world. Due to the event’s revenue and tourism potential, countries go through a competitive bidding process to host the event hears in advance (Maslova, 2010, p.9). For instance, Tokyo won the bid for the 2020 Olympics in 2013 with Paris and Los Angeles scheduled to host the subsequent games in 2024 and 2028. One of the controversial issues with the games and the host cities is the environmental impact and the sustainability of the events. The interviews conducted herein sought expert opinions from Olympic insiders on the environmental impact of the event and the IOC’s responsibility in enforcing sustainability.
According to most of the interviewees, climate change poses the biggest challenge to the Olympic games. The extreme weather events caused by global warming are a constant disruption (Karamichas, 2012, p.382). Flash floods, storms, and heatwaves are some of the side effects that the IOC has to contend with in selecting host cities. Similarly, host cities have to adapt their infrastructure to these weather conditions. This represents additional expenses to modify venues and the Olympic villages. The weather conditions also affect the scheduling of events and take a toll on the athletes.
The interviewees noted that climate change is a global problem. The IOC cannot tackle the issue alone. No country or supranational organization can take on climate change without the support of other countries. Thus, rapid and decisive measures are needed to get climate change under control. It is essential to note that the IOC is taking the lead in adopting environmentally sustainable practices. IOC’s sustainability strategy lists the climate as a primary area of focus. The IOC will also require host cities to be climate positive starting from 2030 (Mork, 2020, p.1). The IOC also rewards International Federations that are proactive in reducing their carbon footprint. In addition to this, the committee’s buildings even win awards for their sustainability measures using green energy and recycling their waste. The committee also pushes the host cities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions whenever possible.
The interviewees agree that the host city and country bear enormous responsibility for the Olympic Games’ environmental impact. Although the IOC also has a role to play, the host cities and states must ensure a net positive effect from the games (IOC, 2020, p.1). This requires infrastructural developments to expand the waste handling capacity of the games’ locations. The cities bidding for the Olympics must ensure that they have the ability to deal with the influx of guests before, during, and after the games.
A final crucial aspect that came to light in the interviewees was the value of legacy in sustainability after the games. The ability of a country to host the games should factor in the plans for the venues after the closing ceremony. The games only last for one month. The host cities and countries must have plans to ensure that the sites do not become wastelands waiting for the next international event. Japan has shown the best way to go about building a legacy. The host countries must invest in sports to ensure that the Olympic Games are not a colossal waste of resources.ssss