MANUAL SPORT ENVIRONMENT

FOREWORD
5
Over the last dec ade, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has s een in itself a
particular responsibility to promote sustainable dev elopment. Today, the env ironment
is the third dimens ion of the Oly mpic Mov ement, alongside sport and culture.
It is in this spirit that for 10 years the Sport and Env ironment Commission, chaired by
Pál Schmitt, has w orked, and has, in c lose partners hip w ith the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), organised aw areness-raising and educational
campaigns for members of the Oly mpic Family and athletes in general on the
importance of a clean environment and sustainable development, enabling them to
improv e their quality of life w ithout c ompris ing that of future generations.
Oly mpic Games w hich res pect the env ironment and the principles of sustainable
dev elopment: s uc h is the other objectiv e of the IOC and the Olympic Mov ement.
It is very important that, going beyond their organisation, the Oly mpic Games leav e a
green legacy to the host country. Due c onc ern for environmental aspects is thus a
prerequisite for any c andidature to host the Olympic Games.
The IOC undertakes to ensure that the Olympic Games take place in c onditions
w hich demonstrate a responsible attitude tow ards the environment. It is also
nec ess ary that all parties linked to the Oly mpic Mov ement place the appropriate
importance on sustainable development.
The Oly mpic Mov ement must deepen its know ledge of the env ironment so that it can
undertake c oncrete actions leading to enhanced nature protec tion. We must prepare
our strategies from a realistic standpoint and ca l for the cooperation of all partners
likely to provide expertis e and additional s upport, taking fully into acc ount s pec ific
circums tanc es and av ailable means.
This Manuel on Sport and Env ironment w ill be w ithout doubt a us eful tool to better
learn and identify the env ironmental iss ues related to the practice of sport and thus to
continue placing s port ev eryw here at the servic e of the harmonious development of
humanity and our env ironment, and thereby c ontribute to our w ell-being.
Giv e the planet a s porting c hanc e!
Jacques Rogge
President of the
International Olympic Committee