7th World Conference on Sport and the Environment - International ...

Report
The Presidents of the IAAF and the Japanese Athletics Federation and the Mayor of Osaka were also
involved in the tree planting activities.
It is hoped when the trees grow, it will make an avenue of poplars.
The symbolic tree seedlings were also handed to the next organizing committee of the IAAF <strong>World</strong>
Championships in Athletics, which will take place in Berlin, Germany from 15-23 August 2009. It
is expected that the organizers in Berlin will build on the commitments made in Osaka and make
environmental protection a top priority. This should also continue in the future Championships as well,
and all IAAF competitions.
The Osaka green project was also highlighted by Sarah Brightman’s special song entitled “Running”
which was played as theme song for the Championships. Ms. Sarah Brightman has been appointed as
the first IAAF Green Project Ambassador to help raise awareness for global environmental issues.
President Lamine DIACK believes that the IAAF green project will only be successful, when it will be
implemented by all national federations and the organizers of all athletics championships, as a first step
by including a tree planting exercise, as well as an environmental preventive education activities and
distribution of materials linked to nurturing sustainable lifestyles.
At the national level, the IAAF has provided funds in 2004, to the athletics federation of Burundi, for a
tree planting activities on the occasion of a Peace Torch Relay across the country initiated by the Head
of State.
The IAAF will launch in the near future, symbolic projects like walking or running for peace which will
also include tree planting in countries affected by civil wars and inter-regional conflicts. It is important to
note that environmental problems have no boundaries, and if the deterioration of the global environment
continues at the same pace as it is now, we may have serious problems to practice athletics.
Athletes and representatives of sport federations have to try and make a modest contribution to raise
awareness on environment problems and at the same time be engaged in symbolic demonstrative
initiatives like tree planting projects with the hope to contribute to a clean and healthier planet for all.
It is said that each human being has two countries: his own and the planet earth. That is why the
President of the IAAF strongly believes that it is important to work together with affiliated member
federations, athletes, local authorities, and corporate partners, to protect the environment, so that
humanity can enjoy athletics for generations to come.
<strong>7th</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Sport and the Environment
International Cooperation and Development Dept.
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