Olympic Digressions Pt. 1
As the final calls for the 2024 Olympics ring out, we take the opportunity to jot down a few impressions. The last few weeks have been hectic, so it’s not surprising that our thoughts are a little disjointed.
What’s up with sustainability this year?
2024 is a year of bold claims for the Olympics. Along with targets of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases and minimal infrastructure creation, the clean-up of the Seine has unleashed a tornado of reactions ranging from hopeful to unimpressed. Other pioneering efforts towards sustainability have been made in the development of the site, such as the infamous cardboard beds, reused from the Tokyo edition, and an AC-free thermo-regulation system. Much to the disbelief of some; several teams have taken it upon themselves to ensure the comfort of their athletes. So imported air conditioning and extra bedding are invading the Olympic Village, slowly eating away at the bravado of those who claimed 2024 would be the greenest Olympics ever. Despite their best efforts, the adoption of sustainable practices is still lagging behind, largely due to a general lack of confidence in the alternatives.
We can't blame the athletes when the most important nights of their careers are at stake. Conversely, the International Olympic Committee's commitment to a forward-looking strategy deserves all the support in the world. But the road to the best environmental performance ever seems to be fraught with obstacles.
Starting with the issue of transit, which has not been addressed in the planning (except on site). It's the world's biggest sporting event... yet very little trace of foreign transport management in the well-thought-out sustainability plan. 40% of the Games' carbon emissions have been overlooked, while there is considerable boasting about the carbon efficiency of catering, which accounts for barely 1% of total emissions.
These Olympics coincide with the hottest average day on record, which has a direct impact on the athletes. It also shows the irrelevance of cherry-picked environmental objectives. The AC story speaks loudly: finding a well-engineered environmentally friendly alternative is not enough. It’s time that we oppose the climate crisis with cleverer answers. Sustainability is as much about the planet than it is about the people. Until we find the sweet spot between both and communicate well, trusted yet detrimental technologies will continue. Kudos for trying, Olympics, but we expect you to go further and harder.
