8th WORLD CONFERENCE ON SPORT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment
International Cooperation and Development Department
Mr Bob Johnston,
Principal, National Practice Leader for Sport, Cannon Design
Architects Inc. (Richmond Oval), Canada
Report
Mr Johnston, as one of the leaders behind the development of the Richmond Speed Skating
Oval, outlined the numerous challenges and successes which occurred during the construction
of the large-scale sports facility. In engineering the Oval, developers were informed to build
around three core concepts – “fl ight, fl ow and fusion”. These elements were not limited to just
the environmental impact of the site, but also recognised the cultural and social elements that
the Oval would come to represent. During construction, builders utilised a number of innovative
processes which limited the environmental impact both in the short term and for the longer-term
legacies. Being ever mindful of the legacy impact, the Oval has also been a catalyst for residential
development in the area as well as promoting First Nations artwork throughout the exterior of the
building.
Mr Xiaoxuan Yu,
Environment Director, Beijing Organising Committee
for the Olympic Games (BOCOG), China
Mr Yu, reviewed the Chinese experience with building sporting facilities for the 2008 Beijing
Olympic Games. Beijing made tremendous strides in integrating environmentally sustainable
technologies into the 12 new sports facilities that were built along with the existing buildings that
were reclaimed for the Games. As an important tool, environmental guidelines were instituted
that encouraged the use of natural light and clean energy as much as possible. Mr Yu examined
ten case studies where specifi c technologies were used that reduced carbon emissions. He also
acknowledged that the Beijing Olympic Village was awarded the LEED gold certifi cation and
received high praise from Greenpeace.
4.7. Going on Diet: Shrinking Energy Demand
Ms Elyse Allan,
President and CEO, General Electric (GE) Canada, Canada
GE, being a worldwide partner of the Olympic Movement has instituted quite an extensive list of
“green” initiatives that have expanded not only revenues for the company but developed more
products. Ms Allan highlighted the Ecomagination initiative which started in 2005 and has grown
to become a USD 17 billion industry for the company. Ecomagination grew out of a discussion
GE had with its customers regarding what GE could do in response to the global sustainability
challenge. GE started with 17 products, all of which had to get proper ECO 3rd party certifi cation
but now has over 70 products.
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