Crimson Publishers Mini Review Wings to the Research Sustainable Planning for the Olympic Legacy Valerio della Sala1,2,3,4* Sport Research Institute IRE-UAB, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain 1 ISSN: 2578-0336 Politecnico di Torino, Italy 2 Interdepartmental Research Centre for Urban and Mega-Events Studies (OMERO), Italy 3 University of Bologna, Italy 4 Abstract The Olympic legacy, whether temporary or transitory, can manifest itself before, during or after the Games. It can quickly disappear after the event if efforts are not made to keep it alive through, for example, cultural programming, new environmental legislation, public awareness programming or new wider applications. In recent years, the Olympic legacy and the planning of the Olympic legacy have become increasingly important in the choice of host cities. The importance that has allowed many cities such as London, Sydney, and Tokyo, to develop an entity in charge of the planning and management of the post-Olympic legacy. In addition, holistic sustainability and planning have become two key elements for Olympic *Corresponding author: Valerio della success. The intangible possibility of training and involving new profiles in the territory proves to be Sala, Interdepartmental Research Cen- fundamental to being able to manage the Olympic structures in the post-Olympic period. However, cities tre for Urban and Mega-Events Studies will have to overcome the biggest challenge: considering sustainability as a holistic element. (OMERO), Italy Submission: May 18, 2023 Introduction Published: June 16, 2023 Olympic legacy planning requires great respect for the environment sustainability of the Volume 11 - Issue 2 processes involved in organizing the Olympic event. “To encourage and support a responsible concern for environmental issues, to promote sustainable development in sport and to require How to cite this article: Vale- rio della Sala. Sustainable Plan- that the Olympic Games be conducted accordingly” (Olympic Charter, Art. 2, IOC mission ning for the Olympic Legacy. Environ and role) [1]. As global mega-events, the Olympic Games represent a specific historical Anal Eco stud. 000758. 11(2). 2023. moment reflecting the globalized world’s visions. For this reason, the universal dimension DOI: 10.31031/EAES.2023.11.000758 of the Olympic event and the increasing size of the event has, over the years, introduced new Copyright@ Valerio della Sala, This concerns for the environment’s protection. However, the IOC during the 1970s and 1980s article is distributed under the terms of was very concerned about the negative image of the event worldwide and even seriously the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 considered that the Olympic event was in danger of disappearing. 1The Montreal 1976 edition International License, which permits unrestricted use and redistribution can be considered one of the most critical moments for the future of the modern Olympic provided that the original author and Games. The overestimation of Olympic works and mega projects has introduced new concerns source are credited. and criticisms regarding respect for the environment. However, the Rio de Janeiro Charter of 1992, the introduction of Agenda 21, and the collaboration with UNEP in 1994 made it possible to set up a specific commission on sport and the environment in 1995. Thus, in 1996, the environment was finally added to the Olympic Charter as a third pillar [2]. Indeed, the Lillehammer 1994 edition and the presidency of the Norwegian prime minister as a president of the UN were intangible elements in raising awareness of the environmental risks identified in the 1970s and 1980s by the scientific community. 1 The city of Denver in 1976 provided for a referendum to observe the public’s intention to host a mega-event. The Denver referendum highlighted citizens’ concerns about environmentally destructive landscape practices. Thus, the winter edition was assigned to Innsbruck, Olympic city for the second time (1964-1976). Environmental Analysis & Ecology Studies 1237 EAES.000758. 11(2).2023 1238 Norway is recognized as one of the driving forces behind the 5. Describe environmentally friendly technology about the creation of the European Commission’s “Our Common Future” Games; project. As such, the planning and organization of the Lillehammer 6. Describe plans to minimize the environmental impact of Olympics introduced four critical points for protecting the game-related infrastructure projects (road widening); environment: 7. Outline how waste management (wastewater treatment) A. companies were instructed to use natural materials plans are expected to influence the city and the region in the wherever possible. future; B. Emphasis was placed on energy savings in the heating and 8. Explain how the OCOG will integrate its environmental cooling system. approach into contracts with suppliers and sponsors, e.g., C. A recycling program was developed for the entire Winter about the procurement of recyclable or compostable products Games region. in recyclable or compostable packaging; D. It was stipulated that the stadiums should harmonize 9. Outline plans to raise environmental awareness [3,4]. with the surrounding landscape. We observe that the IOC emphasizes the impact and legacy of Therefore, the Lillehammer edition served as a reference Environmental Sustainability (ES) in the Games, which adheres and case study for future editions and the implementation of to the principles outlined by the Ecological Modernization (EM) environmentally friendly strategies2. perspective [5]. The Environment in the Bid Process The Main Objective of Olympic Sustainability The IOC, through its handbook for candidate cities, includes a According to Ritchie [6], the Olympiad must be imagined and specific section on the compliance of host cities with environmental designed as a global event, in which all stakeholders are equally measures. The handbook is seen as the cities’ commitment to the involved. For this reason, the Olympic legacy to be conveyed must environment. In addition, the IOC guides future cities through be understood and aligned with the value system of the citizens, as policies that should be implemented for a positive assessment of only they can guarantee a broad base of support for “welcoming the Olympic bid3. Over time, the meanings and terms of sustainable the world”. Cities, step by step, started to include in their bidding development have evolved into different practices and applications process a specific part on the environmental sustainability of within each context. The only hope is that in the future, the IOC the event and the structures. However, we cannot overlook the can update the criteria for considering sustainable practices in all inclusion of community groups, associations, and entities, as it specific contexts. To date, the IOC, in its report for candidate cities, will allow the inclusion of all subjects in the holistic sustainability includes the following obligations regarding the environment: planning processes in the post-Olympic period. Agenda 2020, as already mentioned, offers some general indications on the means 1. Provide a map and graphic description of the local to achieve greater Olympic sustainability. environmental situation regarding natural resources used by the relevant authorities, with emphasis on their interaction Meanwhile, in environmental terms, the United Nations (UN) with OCOG; calls for minimizing negative impacts on the biosphere; conserving natural and rural spaces; saving energy, water, and materials; 2. Provide an official guarantee from the competent using environmentally friendly technologies and green building authorities, stating that all works necessary for the organization design techniques; using local resources; promoting public of the Games will comply with local, regional, and national transport; minimizing waste; and so on. Agenda 2020 refers to the standards, as well as international agreements and protocols importance of comprehensive environmental impact assessments on planning, construction, and environmental protection; before Olympic construction projects. It stresses the importance of 3. Conduct environmental impact assessment of all sites; involving the whole city and region to ensure their long-term socio- economic and health benefits. Subsequently, with the introduction 4. Describe the environmental management system of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals4 By 2030, the UN will envisaged by the OCOG (including possible collaboration with mark the importance of achieving a shared outcome concerning the NGOs and/or their feedback on the Games; environment and the development of a sustainable world. In Olympic history, the city of Sydney has a reputation for delivering the first sustainable and environmentally friendly 2 mega-event. However, the assessment of environmental practices is subjective, especially when looking at Sydney, Athens, Turin, 3 Beijing, Vancouver, London, Sochi, Rio, PyeongChang, and Beijing. 4 The SDGs are 17 goals introduced by the UN to raise awareness of sustainable development, inclusion, integration, and respect for the environment through a few key points. Environ Anal Eco stud Copyright © Valerio della Sala EAES.000758. 11(2).2023 1239 On the other hand, it is argued that the winter edition will always interests of stakeholders6 [8]. However, to ensure community have a more significant environmental impact than the summer sustainability, citizens must be actively involved in the planning edition. Consequently, winter Olympic venues should carefully process, informing them of the opportunities, challenges, and consider the natural context to achieve landscape conservation. risks involved in hosting the Olympics. Public-private partnerships Furthermore, the realization, design, and construction of sports represent a unique opportunity to resolve long-standing problems facilities must be carried out to “ ensure their harmonious and major unfinished projects [9-12]. In addition, the centralization integration into the local context”. of the organization of the Olympic Games means that the event’s needs may have different priorities between the central state and The analysis produced by Furrer5 on Olympic holistic local administrations. Therefore, the challenge for future host cities sustainability suggests six main objectives: will be to offer long-term planning that considers sustainability as A. Equality: Implication of the sharing of Olympic risks and a dynamic, holistic element. responsibilities, References B. Strategic planning: The Games should be integrated 1. IOC (2020) Olympic charter. into the long-term urban development strategy and catalyse 2. Kaspar R (1998) Sport environment and culture, Olympic review: Official activities and improvements in social policies, publication of the Olympic movement. XXVI-20, Lausanne, Switzerland, pp. 67-70. C. Responsible resource management: Financial, social and environmental resources must be invested in a way that 3. IOC (2018) Host city contract operational requirements. safeguards and possibly enhances the socio-economic integrity, 4. IOC (2018) Olympic agenda 2020 Olympic games: The new norm report by the executive steering committee for Olympic games delivery. D. A new form of governance for urban sustainability: 5. Karamichas J (2012) The Olympics and the environment. The Palgrave It is characterized by integrity and transparency in decision- Handbook of Olympic Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, London, UK, pp. 381- making, accountability in the management of public resources, 393. and genuine public consultation, 6. Ritchie JR (2000) Turning 16 Days Into 16 years through Olympic legacies. Event Management 6(3): 155-165. E. Sustainability monitoring and reporting: This is an important aspect of accountability and transparency, 7. Furrer P (2002) Sustainable Olympic games: A dream or a reality? Bulletin of the Italian Geographical Society, series XII, volume VII,/4. F. Sustainable local design: Special attention needs to be 8. Frey M, Iraldo F, Melis M (2008) The impact of large-scale sport events developed to the temporary infrastructure. on local development: An Assessment of the XXth Torino Olympics through the sustainability report, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. Furthermore, Furrer [7] argue that partnerships and social networks are indispensable for developing the long-term holistic 9. (2019) IOC sustainability progress update a review of our 2020 objectives. sustainability of host cities. Therefore, the economy and society constitute a social network that will provide the necessary 10. ONU (1992) Agenda 21, ONU. activities and processes to expand sustainability in the Olympic 11. ONU (2005) United Nations Development Program. areas. Sustainable planning aims to facilitate communications 12. UNEP (2005) World Resources 2005: The wealth of the poor-managing between the public and private sectors, mediating the different ecosystems to fight poverty. London World Resources Institute, London, UK. 5 Furrer P(2002) Sustainable Olympic games: A dream or a reality? Bulletin of the Italian Geographical Society, Series XII, Volume VII/4. 6 Frey M, Iraldo F, Melis M (2008) The impact of large-scale sport events on local development: An Assessment of the XXth Torino Olympics through the sustainability report, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. Environ Anal Eco stud Copyright © Valerio della Sala