From astonishing gold medal performances in artistic gymnastics to a world record-breaking swimming competition, the 2024 Olympics in Paris is a captivating moment in time for millions of viewers tuning in to the games from around the globe. Aside from impressive physical feats, the XXXIII Olympiad underscores sustainability and the importance of standards, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reports that this Olympics promises to be more responsible and sustainable than previous years.
3 Ways the 2024 Olympics Serve up Greener Games
Reducing the Carbon Footprint: The 2024 Olympics organizers say they will cut its carbon footprint by 50 percent, compared to the London 2012 and Rio 2016 average, aligning with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Strategies to achieve this include games that will run on 100 percent renewable energy, minimizing material needs (from tents to tennis balls), and designing more sustainable temporary venues. Both athletes and spectators will also dine on low-carbon, local, and organic meals.
Giving Resources a Second Life: A solid circular economy strategy will catapult greener efforts, with IOC reporting that 95 percent of the venues are existing or temporary, and renting or sharing equipment will be prioritized over new supply purchases. At the conclusion of the games, all temporary structures will be repurposed, reused, or recycled.
Standards Boost the Games: The Paris 2024 sustainable management system is in compliance with the ISO 20121 standard, Event sustainability management systems — Requirements with guidance for use, which specifies requirements for an event sustainability management system for any type of event or event-related activity, and provides guidance on conforming to those requirements. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Project Committee 250, Sustainability in event management, developed the standard, which applies to events of all types and sizes, encouraging organizations to manage social, economic, and environmental impacts responsibly.
“ISO first developed ISO 20121 as a result of the London 2012 Olympics,” said Silvio Dulinsky, deputy secretary general for ISO. “Now, with the support of our partners—the IOC and Paris 2024—we have updated it to include key climate, human rights, and legacy considerations, in line with the vision of the Paris Olympics. This new edition raises the bar for sustainable events and will have a transformative and lasting impact on people and communities.”
Various standards support the Olympic games, from helmets used in pole vaulting to equestrian safety standards. A recent ASTM International podcast underscores its Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities, which covers standardization work in these areas.
Did You Know: More Olympics 2024 Facts
ANSI celebrates the Olympic champions—and the standards that support them—as the games go on!