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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, November 03, 2002

IOC Official: Sydney Olympics Offers Lessons on Environmental Protection

Some lessons learned from the Sydney Olympic Games are key to ensuring that Beijing will deliver a "Green Olympics" in 2008, an official from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Saturday.


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Sydney Olympics Offers Lessons on Environmental Protection
Some lessons learned from the Sydney Olympic Games are key to ensuring that Beijing will delivera "Green Olympics" in 2008, an official from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said here on Saturday.

Speaking at the IOC Seminar on Sport and Environment, Pal Schmitt, chairman of the IOC Sport and Environment Commission, suggested Beijing draw lessons from the Sydney Olympics in the field of environmental protection.

"First of all, make specific environmental commitments as part of the development plans well before design plans to be finalized and construction begins," said Schmitt.

It is believed as one of the major achievements of the 2000 Olympic Games and it's what has set Sydney apart from other Olympic host cities, he said.

"Secondly, environmental guidelines must be clear and specific benchmarks are non-negotiable, measurable and backed up by law.

"Thirdly, Olympic organizers and developers must be required tocollect and report information on all environmental aspects of their projects and make this information publicly available," saidthe Hungarian IOC member.

"And independent auditing of all environmental information is essential to ensure credibility."

As Sydney did not keep detailed records of how it performed against the environmental guidelines nor require an accredited, independent auditor to verify this information, it is impossible to properly gauge the city's Olympic environmental achievements and shortcomings.

"Another lesson is no matter how Olympic construction is managed - with one project manager or as independent projects and contracts - Olympic organizers must ensure that the best and most cost-effective environmental systems and material are used project-wide," said Schmitt.

Schmitt noted that during Sydney's build-up to the 2000 Games, architects, project coordinators and suppliers showed great enthusiasm for and expertise in environmental building and event management but were rarely involved.

"Therefore, Beijing should seek out and engage those innovativeand creative experts and companies interested in the environmental," said Schmitt.

"Finally, high level and consistent consultation with the community, environmental and social groups is essential and must be part of the project from the beginning," he added.

Because a system was not established early on to maintain regular consultation with the local citizens impacted by Olympic construction, Sydney Organizers' decision to make Bondi Beach for the beach volleyball stadium triggered community outrage.


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