"[ THE IOC'S ROLE IS:] TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT A RESPONSIBLE CONCERN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SPORT AND TO REQUIRE THAT THE OLYMPIC GAMES ARE HELD ACCORDINGLY" ( OLYMPIC CHARTER) BEFORE YOU READ – QUESTIONS TO ASK What is the meaning of the word " environment?" Why does the environment need to be protected? READING Bobsled: An Environmental Challenge In the bobsled races, two and four- man teams fly down a mile- long, ice- covered course in an aerodynamic sled at speeds of as much as 90mph. The team with the fastest combined time after two runs gets the gold. The 1,500- metre track is quite steep, is made with artificial ice and has very sensitive timing equipment. The building of these tracks down a mountainside is very expensive, and requires many difficult environmental decisions. OLYMPIC CITIES AS ROLE MODELS Olympic cities now make many different plans to protect the environment and promote sustainability. These are some examples. Use them to think about what you will need to do to protect the environment and promote sustainability in your community. Lillehammer 1994 – The First " Green Games"– Conserving Energy, Educating the Public – Excess heat coming off ice surfaces and from the air conditioning in the Hamar Olympic Hall was recycled to heat other areas in the venue. Environmental protection information was printed on the Games' tickets by the Organising Committee. Nagano 1998 – Protecting Endangered Species– Gifu Butterfly– The forest at Happon'one was the location of the finish of the men's downhill ski race. It is also a breeding ground for the rare Gifu butterfly. Over 300 people, including Olympic volunteers and local junior high school students helped transplant the miyama'aoi grass on which the butterfly feeds. The local junior high school students also transplanted miyama'aoi grass into the ski jump area in order to encourage Gifu butterflies to lay their eggs there. Sydney 2000 – Enhancing the Urban Environment – Millennium Parklands – Sydney cleaned up an old industrial area to create a huge new urban park, and a home for the Olympic stadium and other Olympic facilities. This park also protects the habitat of the rare Golden Bell frog. Turin 2006– Awareness of Climate Change – The HECTORProgramme– The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are events closely related to the stability of climatic conditions and the availability of cold weather accompanied by snow. These are the real " raw materials" for the sports competitions. For this reason climate protection was considered a priority of the environment policy of the Turin Olympic Winter Games Organising Committee ( TOROC). The HECTOR ( HEritage Climate TORino) Programme created awareness of the problem of climate change and compensated for the emission of greenhouse gases produced during the period of the Olympic event. AboveSalt Lake City 2002: Switzerland's four- man bobsleigh team begin their run. Bobsleigh courses create a number of environmental challenges. PROTECTING THEENVIRONMENT THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE HAS IDENTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND SUSTAINABILITY AS PRIORITIES, AND INSTRUCTS OLYMPIC ORGANISING COMMITTEES TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN THEY PLAN AND PREPARE FOR AN OLYMPIC GAMES. 60TEACHING VALUES SECTION 3 SHARING THE VALUES THROUGH SPORT AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES

TEACHING VALUES AN OLYMPIC EDUCATION TOOLKIT SECTION 3 SHARING THE VALUES THROUGH SPORT AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES TEACHING VALUES61 ACTIVITYSHEET TALK IN GROUPS What does " sustainability" mean? Compare and contrast the environmental challenges of the Summer and the Winter Games. How are they the same? How are they different? TO THINK ABOUT There are often arguments between people who want to protect endangered animal and plant species and sensitive habitat, and people who want to use the land for other reasons. Think about an environmental concern in your country. What are the main points made by people on both sides of the issue? What environmental impacts will the event have that you are planning for your community? Consider waste management, disturbing natural habitat, use of water and electricity and special needs. CHECKLIST ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 ACTIVITY 3 123 Left Burkina Faso 2004: Caring for the Environment – An NOC Reforestation Camp.